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GOVT. COLLEGE, LIEil^RY

KOTA (Raj.)

For Official use only

GAZETTEER OF INDIA
RAJASTHAN

BIKANER

RAJASTHAN DISTRICT
GAiZETTEERS

BIKANER

K, K. SEHGAL

DIRECXORATE, DISTBICST GAZETTEERS
GOVERNMENT OF RAJASTHAN,
JAIPUR,

Obtainable from :

(1) DIRECTORATE, DISTRICT GAZETTEERS,
RAJASTHAM, JAIPUR (INDIA)

(2) PUBLICATIONS BRANCH,

GOVERNMENT CENTRAL PRESS,

JAIPUR (INDIA)

Criitted at ;

BHARAT PRINTERS,

M. I. ROAD. JAIPUR (Rajasthak)

PREFACE

The District Gazetteer of Bikaner is the tenth in the series of
District Gazetteers being published by the Government of Rajas-
than in collaboration with the Central Gazetteers Unit of India.
The area now comprising the district of Bikaner formed a part of
the erstwhile princely State of Bikaner, which was founded by Rao
Bika, a Rathor prince, in the fifteenth century A.D. The antiquity
of the tract is, however, much older and a reference about it is
available in the Mahabharata. For sometime the area remained the
cradle of the migrant Yaudheyas. When the Rathors appeared on
the scene, the territory was inhabited by various Jat clans. For
about half-a-millennium the descendants of Rao Bika ruled over
this region with Bikaner town as the seat of their Government.
Under the Rathors the State witnessed various upheavals. The
ramparts of Bikaner fort remind us even today of the saga of many a
fierce battle. With the growth of Mughal power under Akbar,
Bikaner became one of the leading states of Rajputana, Its brave
soldiery, known for its chivalrous deeds, constituted the flower of
the Mughal army. After the disintegration of the Mughal empire
the Bikaner House suffered a set-back and there was a slow decline
in its prosperity and power. In the beginning of the 19th century,
the State sought British protection owing to internecine feuds with
its own nobility and the neighbouring states.

Bikaner remained a great centre of learning during the medic*
val period. The town still possesses one of the biggest collections of
rare manuscripts in the country. Known connoisseurs of art and
literature, the Bikaner rulers gave patronage to many renowned
litterateurs, painters and architects in their courts.

The first Gazetteer of the Bikaner State, written by Captain P.W.
Powlett, was published in 1874. Erskine’s Gazetteer of Western
Rajputana States and Bikaner Residency was published about three
de'cadcs later in 1909. A brief description of the State and its
constituent parts was also included in the Imperial Gazetteer of
India and its provincial scries. The Gazetteers of the pre-indepen-
dence days contained onl}- such information as would prove useful
to a colonial$OYcrnmcni in administering a country of .continental

dimensions. In the princely States the Gazetteers were prepared
solely for the use of the Darbars, the State officials and the
political officers accredited to' them. These publications merely
highlighted the customs and traditions of the upper echelons of the
society while completely ignoring the lower strata.

• Mighty .transformations have taken place in India, in political,
social . and economic sphere during the past -.few decades. The
country, has experienced far-reaching changes, lUndcr the impact of
internal and international _ social forces. The old _ Gazetteers,
although a valuable source material for the scholars and historians,
have become out-of-date in the changed circumstances. The work
of revising and rewriting the Gazetteers was, therefore,. taken, up
as a national project which is being implemented by the Government
of India, State Governments and the Administrations of, the. Union
Territories. The new series of District Gazetteers gives an all-sided
and inter-connected account of the- emerging democratic pattern of
life in the country since Independence.

The material available in. the, old Gazetteers has, been used
freely particularly in chapters dealing with subjects like topography,
rivers, geology etc. where no change in the text was required. The
bulk of the information had, however, to be collected,from a, number
of publications. Government and private, and from pther sources.
The data included in the volume, unless specifically mentioned in
the text otherwise, pertain to the period ending. 1965-66.

I am greatly indebted to the various departments of the State
and Central Government. Semi-Government institutions , and indi-
viduals who have helped us by extending their -co-operation and
making the necessary material ..available. 1 must , make a special
mention and express my .thanks to Dr. P-U. Chopra, M.. A, Ph, D.,
Editor, District Gazetteers and the staff of Central Gazetteers Unit,

. Union Ministry of Education -and Youth Services, -New Delhi, for
their effective role in planning arid co-ordinating the work of pre-
paration of the District Gazetteers. The Unit .scrutinised the draft
of this volume with great care and-madc several helpful suggestions
.with a view to improving the standard and quality of the publication,
lam also indebted . to Shri Maya Ram, the then Director, who
prepared the first draft of this- Gazetteer and sent it to Central
Gazetteer* Vmt, New Delhi. I makc grateful acknowledgement of my

obligations to Sliri K.P.U Menon and Shri Z. S. Jhala,
the ex-Chief Secretaries and Shri S.L. Khurana the present Chief
Secretary to the Government of Rajasthan, for guiding and helping
us in the work.

My thanks are also due to the staff of the Gazetteers Depart-
ment who worked as a team to help me in the difficult task of
compilation of the Gazetteer. I must record my genuine appreciation
for the services rendered by them.

K. K. SEHGAL

Director. District Gazetteers,
Rajasthan’, Jaip’Ur.

GAZETTEER OF BIKANER DISTRICT

PLAN OF CONTENTS

CHArTERS

Pag gs

I — General

1—18

11 — History

19—82

III— People

83—123

■IV — ^Agriculture and Irrigation

124—155

V — Industries

156—184

VI — Banking, Trade and Commerce

185—206

VII — Communications

207—220

VIII — Miscellaneous Occupations

221—237

IX — Economic Trends

238—260

X — General Administration

261—265

XI — Revenue Administration

266—291

XII — Law and Order and Justice

292—309

XIII — ^Other Departments

310—320

XIV — Local Self-Government

321—339

XV — Education and Culture

340—364

XVI— Medical and Public Health Services

365— 382

XVII — Other Social Services

383—3X8

XVITI— Public Life and Voluntary Social

Service Organisations

389—410

XIX — ^Places of Interest

411—422

Bibliography

423—425

Glossary

426—428

Index

429—451

Plates

CONVERSION TABLE

Length

1 inch=2.54 centimetres
1 foot=: 30.48 centimetres
1 yard=91. 44 centimetres
1 raile=1.61 kilometres

Area

1 square foot— 0.093 square metre
1 square yard=0.836 square metre
1 square mile=2.59 square kilometres
1 acre =0.405 hectare

Volume

1 cubic foot=0.028 cubic metre
Capacity

I gallon (Iraperial)=4.55 litres
1 seer (80 tola)=0.937 litre

Weight

1 tola = 11.66 grams
1 chhatank=58.32 grams
1 scer=933.10 grams
1 maund =37.32 kilograms
1 seer (24 tolas)=279.93 grams
1 ounce =28.35 grams
1 pound=453.59 grams
I ton=l,016;05 kilograms

Temperatute

t* Fahrcnhcit=9/5 (1° centigrade) 0 f 32
Metric Weights & Measures

Length

10 miUimctrcs=l centimetre
100 centimctrcs=l metre
1,000 mcttcs^l kilometre

Area

100 square Tnillimetres=l square centimetre

10.000 square centimelres=l square metre or centiare
100 square metres = I are

100 ares=l hectare

100 hectares or 1,000,000 square metres=l sq. kflometre
Volume

1,000,000 cubic centimetres=l cubic metre
Capacity

1.000 millilitres=l litre

1,000 litres — 1 kilolitre

Weight

1,000 milligrams=l gran

1,000 grams=l kilogram
100 kilograms =1 quintal

1,000 kilcgrams = l tonne
200 milligrams=',i carat

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
General

INTRODUCTORY— Origin of the name of the district.
Location, boundaries, area and population. History of the
district as an administrative unit; TOPOGRAPHY;
RIVER SYSTEM AND WATER RESOURCES— Lakes,
rivers and tanks, Underground water; GEOLOGY—
Geological formation, Minerals-Fuller’s Earth {MnUani
Mini), Lignite, Gypsum, White Clay, Yellow ochre. Glass
sand, Sandstone, Limestone, Grit {Bajri)-, Seismicity of
Bikaner; FLORA— Forests, Revenue from Forest Depart-
ment, Protected and Private Foiests-Research Institute-;
FAUNA— Animals. Reptiles, Birds, Game Sanctuaries;
CLIMATE— Rainfall, Temperature, Humidity, Cloudiness,
Winds, Special Weather Phenomena; APPENDICES I
to V, 1 - 18

CHAPTER II
History

PRE-HISTORY; PROTO-HISTORY; ANCIENT HISTORY—
The Yaudheyas. the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Chahamanas
and the Bhatis; MEDIEV AL PERIOD-Rao Lunkaran, Rao
Jet Sigh, Rao Kalyan Singh, Raja Rai Singh, Maharaja
Dalpai Singh. Sur Singh, Karan Singh. Maharaja Anup
Singh, Swamp Singh, Sujan Singh, Maharaja Zorawar
Singh, Maharaja Gaj Singh, Maharaja Raj Singh, Maharaja
Pratap Singh; MODERN PERIOD — Maharaja Surat Singh,
Maharaja Ratan Singh, Maharaja Sardar Singh, Maharaja
Dungar Singh, Maharaja Ganga Singh. Maharaja Sadul
Singh, Political Awakening in Bikaner, Bikaner Conspiracy
Case (1932); APPENDICES 1 to VII — ]

CHAPTER III
People

POPULATION— Total population, Growth of population, Sex
Ratio, Age, Urban and Rural population. Emigration and
Immigration, Displaced Persons; LANGUAGE — Bilingu-
alism; RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL GROUPS— Hindus-
Brahmans, Mahajans, Jats, Rajputs, Nayaks or Thoris,
Meghwals, Bishnois, Darogas, Alakhgirs-, Mohammedans,
Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Religious Beliefs and Practices,
Nomenclature; SOCIAL LIFE — Joint family system.
Inheritance, Adoption, Polygamy, Restrictions on Marri-
age, Marital Status, Marital Reforms, Marriage Customs,
Dowry, Divorce, Widow Remarriage-Position of women-,
Prostitution, Drinking-Daily life-, Home-life-House-holds-,
Furniture, Dwellings, Dress, Ornaments, Food, Communal
Life-Fairs & Festivals, Festivals, Fairs, Mokama Fair,
Kolayat Fair, Deshnoke Fair, Teej Fair. Shiv Bari Fair,
Naginiji Fair, Nar Singh Chautrdashi Fair, Sujandesar
Fair, Ken, ara Fair, Jetha Bhutta Fair, Kodemdesar Fair,
Ridmalsar Fair, Dada-ji-ka-Mela-, Dance, Music, Folk
lore. Songs, Amusements-Sports and Games, Other
Recreation, Puppets, Cinemas, Clubs-, Impacf of Recent
Social and Economic Changes ••• *“ <S3-!23

CHAPTER IV

Agriculture axd Irrigation

General, Co-operative Movement, Afforestation; IRRIGA-
TION — Irrigation fay Lakes & Tanks— Gajner Lake,
Kolayat Tank. Ganga Sarowar Tank, Bund No. I;,Mudh
Bund, Bund No. 2, Bund No. 3, Band No. 4, Dadar Tank,

Sallia Tank, KhudiTank, Jhinjhiniya Tank, Kiniya Tank,

Bhatia Tank-, Irrigation fay wells: SOIL EROSION;
AGRICULTURE — Soil and Crops; Agricultural Opera-
tions, Agricultural Crops-, Bajra, Jowar, Wheat, Pulses.

Fruits and Vegetables, Oil seeds-. Manures, Crop Rota-
tion, Crop diseases, Agricultural pests, Departmental
Activities, Agricultural implements. Seeds; ANIMAL

HUSBANDRY AND FISHERIES— Animal Husbandry-
Fodder, Livestock, Poultry Development-, Fisheries
Artificial Insemination, Animal Diseases, Goshalas,

Cattle Fairs; FAMINES- Early Visitations, Famine
of 1868-69, Famine of 1891-92, Famine of 1896-97,

Famine of 1899-1900, Famine of 1939-40, Famines
during recent years; APPENDICES I to V •" 124-155

CHAPTER V

Industries

OLD TIME INDUSTRIES; POWER— Rural Electrification;
MINERALS — Non-metallic — Gypsum, White-clay, Fuller’s
earth, Yellow Ochre, Glass sand--, Fuel-Lignite (Brown
coal)-. Building Materials-, Sandstone, Limestone, Bajri
or Grit, Kankar-, Metallic Minerals-Copper-; LARGE
SCALE INDUSTRIES; SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES—.
Pottery, Steel Processing, Wool Based Industries, Mineral
based Industries, Printing Presses, Cold Storage and
Ice Factories, Chemical Industries-Plastic & Celluloid
Industries, Hair oil, Ink, Washing soap, Agarbatti, Candle,

Pan Masalla, Tobacco and Sweet Supari Making Units, ■

Guar Gum Manufacturing Unit, Ayurvedic Pharmacies,
Distilled Water and Battery Acid Units-, Electronic Indus-
tries, Machine and Cycle Industries, Oil & Dal Mills,

Brass Utensils, Miscellaneous Industries; COTTAGE IN-
DUSTRIES — Hand Spinning & Weaving, Steel Fabricators;

ARTS & CRAFTS— Dyeing & Printing, Lacquer Work,
Wooden Toys, Carving, Papar of Bikaner, Bhujias
Manufacturing, Handicrafts Emporium; INDUSTRIAL
POTENTIAL; STATE ASSISTANCE; CREDIT FACILI-
TIES; TECHNICAL EDUCATION — Government Poly-
technic, Bikaner, Industrial Training Institute, Bikaner,
Woollen Cottage Industries Training Institute, Bikaner;
INDUSTRIAL ESTATE; LABOUR LAWS AND
labour WELFARE; LABOURERS’ AND EMP-
LOYEES’ ORGANISATIONS; APPENDCES 1 to III 156-184

CHAPTER VI

Banking, Trade and Commence

BANKING AND FINANCE— Historical Aspect-Ad-

vancing Loans against Promissory Notes, Mortgaging,
Dastawez, Khandi, Pawning, Government Loans-,Indebted-
ness-Causes of Indebtedness-, Co-operative Movement,
Scheduled Banks-, State Savings Bankj Bikaner-, Rajasthan
Financial Corporation, Insurance-State Insurance-, Nati-
onal Savings, Bikaner Coins; TRADE AND COMMERCE-
Imports and Exports, Marketing, Storage-Rajasthan State
Warehousing Corporation—, Mandis — Bikaner, Naukha,
Lankaransar“,Traders’ and Merchants’ Associations, State
Trading, Weights and Measures-Metric System of We-
ights and Measures. 185-236

CHAPTER VII
COMSIUNICATIONS

OLD ROUTES; ROADS AND ROAD TRANSPORT-Roads,

Road Transport— Motor Vehicles, Public Transport, Fare
and Freight-, Stage Carriages, Public Carriers-, Road Acci-
dents; RAILWAYS— Railway Stations and Trains, Econo-
mic Importance of Railways; AIR SERVICES; TRA-
VEL AND TOURIST FACILITIES— Dharamshalas,

Rest houses, Hotels; POSTS AND TELEGRAPHS; TELE-
PHONES; RADIO STATION; ORGANISATIONS IN
THE FIELD OF COMMUNICATION; APPENDICES
I to 11 207-220

CHAPTER VIII

MiSCEELANEOXJS OCCUPAIIONS

PUBLIC SERVICE; PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL AND
RELATED WORKERS; ADMINISTRATIVE, EXECU-
TIVE AND MANAGERIAL WORKERS; CLERICAL &
RELATED WORKERS; SALES WORKERS; FARMERS,
FISHERMEN. HUNTERS AND RELATED WORKERS;
MINERS, QUA RRYMEN AND RELATED WORKERS;
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATION SERVICES;

CRAFTSMEN AND OTHER PRODUCTION PROCESS
WORKERS; SERVICE, SPORTS AND RECREATION
WORKERS; EDUCATIONAL LEVEL— Urban, Rural;
APPENDICES I to IV 221-23?

CHAPTER IX
Economic Trends

LIVELIHOOD PATTERN; PRICES; WAGES; STANDARD
OF LIVING; EMPLOYMENT; COMMUNITY DEVE-
LOPMENT; PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT—

First Five Year Plan, Second Five Year Plan, Third Five
Year Plan; APPENDICES I to III 23K-2(.0

CHAPTER X

Gknerad Administration

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND; PRESENT PATTERN:

APPENDIX 261-265

CHAPTER XI

Revenue Administration

LAND REVENUE ADMINISTRATION— Historical As-
pect, Summary Settlement, Settlement of 1894-95 — Sur-
vey-, Settlement in Jagir areas, Settlement after the merger-
Assessment-, Set-np of the Revenue Administration,

Income from Land Revenue; LAND REFORMS — Position
of the Tenants, Abolition of Jagirs, Tenancy Reform,
Revenue Cases, Land Holdings, Landless Agricultural
Workers, Bhoodan and Gramdan; OTHER SOURCES OF
REVENUE — Past Sources, Present Sources —Registration
fees. Stamps, Registration of Motor Vehicles, Excise and
Taxation, Income Tax; APPENDICES I to II 266-29 1

All

Law and Order and Justice

CRIMES; POLICE— Historical uacic-
Presei^' ^ set-up the eve of the merger,

position, Traffic Police, Mounted Police, Range

Back-

Training-School, Bikaner, Railway Police, Anti-Corruption
Organisation. Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (R, A.C.y,

CIVIL DEFEN CE—Warden Services, Home Guards;

JAIL ADMINISTRATION— Historical Sketch, Jail
Administration before merger. Present set-up, Prison
discipline, Welfare of prisoners. Jail Industry; JUDICIAL
ADMINISTRATION— Historical background of the
Judicial System, Present position; LEGAL PROFESSION —

Bar Association; APPENDIX 292-309

CHAPTER XIII
Other Departments

STATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS— Office of the
Colonisation Commissioner, Office of the Su ferintending
Engineer, Rajasthan Canal Project, Investigation
Circle, Town Planning Department-Office of the
Deputy Town Planner Bikaner-, Public Works De-
partment-Office of the Additional Chief Engineer
( Project ), Office of the Superintending Engineer
(Building and Roads), Office of the Executive Engineer
(City Division) — , Rajasthan State Electricity Board-
Office of the Superintending Engineer, Bikaner Circle,

Office of the Executive Engineer-, Archives Department,

Excise Department-Office of the Deputy Commissioner.

Excise, Office of tbe District Excise Officer-, Taxation
Departmcut-Office of the Deputy Commissioner
(Appeals-, Commercial Taxes, Office of the Commer-
cial Taxes Officer-, Water Works-Offi:e of the Assis-
tant Mining Engineer, Office of the Inspector of Fac-
tories and Boilers-; Labour Deprtment-Office of the
Labour Officer, Employment Evchjnge, Office of the
Principal, Industrial Training Institute, Office of the
Principal, Panchayati Raj Training Centre-, Co-
operative bcpartmenl-Office of the Deptuy Registrar,
Co-operative Societies, Office of the Assistant Regis'.rar
Co-operative Societies-, Animal Husbandry Department,

District Stafistical Office, Devasthan, Public Relations

vii

Office; CENTRAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS—

National Savings Organisation, Customs Office, Labour
Enforcement Office. Field Publicity Office, Chemical
Laboratory-Fertiliser Corporation of India, Office of
the Locust Entomologist. Office of the Marketing Officer,

Wool, Bristles and Goat Hair Grading Scheme, Office
of the Sub-Divisional Officer, Telegraphs, Divisional
Superintendent, Northern Railway 310-320

CHAPTER XIV
Local Self-Govebnme.vt

HISTORY — Municipal Council, Bikaner City-History,
Sanitation, Light, Water-Supply, Financial Position,

Office Establishment, Education, Fire Brigade-; MUNI-
CIPAL BOARDS— Municipal B.nard, Gangashahr Muni-
cipal Board, Bhinasar, Municipal Board, Naukha,
Municipal Board, Deshnokc; DISTRICT BOARDS —
History-, District Board, Bikaner- History, Powers and
limitations-; PANCHAYATS — History-, Re-organisa-
tion of Panchayat System, Panchayats, Tahsil Panchayats,
Democratic Decentralisation, Panchayats under the
New Set-up, Nyaya Panchayats; PANCHAYAT SAMI-
TIS — History, Financial Resources — Panchayat Samiti,

Bikaner, Panchayat Samiti. Naukha, Panchayat Samiti,

Kolayat, Panchayat Samiti, Lonkaransar-, Zila Parishad;
APPENDICES I to III 321-339

CHAPTER XV
Education and Cultube

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND; GENERAL EDUCA-
TION— Administrative set-up. New Trends, The Primary
Education, Middle Schools, High and Higher Secondary
Schools, Colleges, Teachers, Training College, Bikaner, Shri
Sanatan Dharm Ayurved College, Sarcar Patel Medical
College, Bikaner, Veterinary College, Bikaner; TECHNI-
CAL SCHOOLS— Bikaner, Polvtechnic Bikaner; SPECIAL

INSTITUTrONS— Oriental Institutions-Shri Sardul
.Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Bikaner, Ganga Sanskrit
Pathshala, Bikaner-, School for Blind; LITERACY
AND EDUCATIONAL STANDRAD; EDUCATION
OF GIRLS; ADULT EDUCATION; THE BHARAT
SCOUTS AND GUIDES DISTRICT ASSOCIATION,
BIKANER; NATIONAL CADET CORPS; CUL-
TURE — Bikaner School of Painting, Literature;
LIBRARIES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS— Anup
Sanskrit Library, The King Emperor George V Silver
Jubilee Library, Shri Gun Prakash Sujjanalaya, Bikaner,

Shri Abhaya Jain Granthalaya, Bikaner, Shri Ram
Krishna Kutir, Bikaner, Gandhi Shanti Pratishthan,
Bikaner, Sadul, Rajasthani Research Institute, Bikaner,
Rajasthan Gyanpith, Bikaner, Hindi Vishwa Bharti
Shodh Pratishthan, Bikaner, Shri Sangeet Bharti, Bikaner,

Shri . Bhartiya Vidya Mandir, Bikaner, Mahila Mandal,
Bikaner, Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum, Bikaner —

Furgal (Silk Robe) 1596 A. D. of the Emperor Jahangir,
Historical Mughal Farmans, Paintings, Terracottas,
Saraswati Jain (ll-I2th cent. A.D.), Nartaki-Dancer
(10- 1 1th cent. A. D.), Lacquered Work, Wood & Stone
Carving™, Shankar Dev Nahata, Kala Bhawan, Bikaner,
Botanical and Zoological Gardens; APPENDIX I 340-364

CHAPTER XVI

Medical akd Public Health Services

EARLY HISTORY— Administrative Set-up; VITAL STAT-
ISTICS— Causes of death. Longevity; COMMON DISE-
ASES — Vaccination, Epidemics; HOSPITALS AND
DISPENSARIES — Prince Bijai Singh Memorial Men’s
Hospital, Bikaner, Prince Bijai Singh Memorial Women ’s
Hospital, Bikaner, Ganga Golden Jubilee Tuberculosis
Hospital, Bikaner, Police Line Hospital, Bikaner, Miliiary
Hospital, Bikaner, District Jail Hospital, Bikaner, Railway
Hospital, Bikaner, Northern Railway Hospital, Lalgarh,
Government Hospital Gajncr, A. P. Hospital, Pagitl;

PR1M\RY HEALTH CENTRES— Naukha, Kolayat,
Naoasar, Kalu; MEDICAL DEPARTMENT-Medical
and Health Personnel, Research Centres; INDIGENOUS
SYSTEM OF MEDICINE; SANITATION; WATER
SUPPLY; APPENDICES I to III 365-382

CHAPTER XVII
Other Social Services

Labour Welfare; Organisational set-up, Prohibition, Social
Welfare of Backward Classes and Tribes, Hostels &
Boarding Houses, Mahila Sanskar Kendra, Princess
Chand Kunwar Orphanage, Bikaner, Industrial and Pro-
duction Centre, Other Measures, Trusts.and Charitable
Endowments. 383-388

CHAPTER XVIII

PuELic Life akd Voluntary Social Service
Organisations

Representation in Parliament (Lok Sabha), Representation
in Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha), Bye-Elections in
1956, Bye-Elcctions in 1960; POLITICAL PARTIES—
Congress Party, Praja Socialist Party, Communist Party,
Bhartiya Jan Sangh, Ram Rajya Parishad, Swatantra Party;

NEWS PAPERS AND PERIODICALS— Daily, Weeklies,
Fortnightlics, Monthlies, Quarterlies, Others; VOLUN-
TARY SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANISATIONS— Indian
Red Cross Society, Bharat Sewuk SamaJ, Shri Bikaner
Mahila Mandal, Mahila Jagriti Parishad, Bikaner, Rajas-
than Mahila Parishad, Bikaner, Bharat Yuvak Srmaj,

Harijan Sevak Sangh, Bikaner, Defence efforts; APPEND-
ICES 1 and II 389-410

CHAPTER XIX
Placbs oe Interest

BTkaner City— Bika-ki-Tekri (Old Fort), Large fort, Lalgarh
Palace. Ganga Niwas Public Park, Ganga Golden Jubilee
Museum, Laxmi IQarain Temple, Bhandasar Temple,

Dhuni Nath Temple, Zoo--, Deshnoke, Devi Kund, Gajner,

Janglu, Koramdesar, Kolayat, Lnnkaransar, Mokam,
Napasar, Naukha, Pugal; Seobari 41 1 — 422

BIBLIOGRAPHY

GLOSSARY

INDEX

ERRATA

PLATES

423—425

426-428

429—459

CHAPTER I

GENERAL
INTRODUCTORY
Origin of the name of the dislrict

The district derives its name from its principal city ‘Bikaner’ wTiich
perpetuates the memory of its founder Rao Bika (1438-1504 A. D.).
Ner literally means a ‘settlement’ or a ‘habitation’. Tradition also
says that Naira or Nera was the name of the owner of the site
who parted with it on the condition that his name should be linked
with Rao Bika, and hence the name ‘Bikaner’.

Location, boundaries, area and population

Lying in the north-western part of Rajasthan, it is located between
27“! 1' and 29®03' north latitude and 7r54' and 74°12' east longitude.
It is bounded on the north by Ganganagar district, on the west partly
by Jaisalmer district and partly by Bahawalpur district (West
Pakistan), on the east by the Churn and Ganganagar districts and
on the south-east and south by Nagaur and Jodhpur districts. The
total area of the district is 27,118 sq. kilometres according to the
Central Statistical Organisation, Government of India, thus ranking
third in area compared to other districts of Rajasthan, though with a
population only of 4,44,515 souls it ranks as low as twenty second.
The greatest distance between the extreme parallels is 207 km. (129
miles) and the extreme meridians is 225 km, (140 miles).

History of the district as an administrative unit

Since the foundation of the erstwhile State of Bikaner (1488 A.D.),
the seat of the Government had remained at Bikaner city, the
principal town of the State, and at present it is the headquarters of
the district For purposes of administration, the State was divided
into two divisions before its merger with Rajasthan; namely the
Sadar or Bikaner and Ganganagar. These two divisions were further
sub-divided into six districts or Nizamats each in charge of a
nazim viz., Bikaner, Ganganagar, Rajgarh, Raisinghnagar, Sajangarh
and Saratgarh. Nizamat Bikaner .was also called Sadar because,
besides tlie headquarters of the Nizamat, it was the capita! of the
State and the seat of the Government.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

In 1947, Bikaner State was one of the first States to sign the
instruments of accession to India, 'in 1949, "fhe State was merged in the
State of Rajasthan and ceased to exist as a separate political unit, and
the territory, comprised in the erstwhile State formed one of the five
divisions of Rajasthan under a Divisional Comnissioner. It was further
divided into three districts."' The erstwhile Bikaner A/Izawnf was consti-
tuted into the present Bikaner district under the charge of a ColIectOB->
and District Magistrate. In 1954, 43 villages and three hamlets were
transferred from "former Bap, tahsll of Jaisalmer district to Kolayat
tahsili of this district.

I '

The present district has two sub-divisions viz., Bikaner North and
Bikaner South. These two siib-divisions are comjjrised' of two tahslls
each; namely, Bikaner and Lankarartsai:, ' and Kolayat and Naukha

respectively. The following table
and population of each of them.

gives the

names, number of

f 1 • -

villages

Sub-division ' Tahsll

Villages

P.opulation

(iHhabitod)' ■ '

' > .

Bikaner North I. Bikaner

141 ,

2,51,7,81

, 2. Lonkaransar

, , HI

53 , 961 ^

Bikaner South 1. Kolayat

)• 126 1

47i998

2. Naukha < • -

•!

. . 117

90,769.

2 4

^ 6 ■ '

'525“

4,44,51 5

1 1

TOPOGRAPHY

The map of Bikaner district has the appcarartcc of an irregulad
polygon having ten sides. The major part of the district covers desolate
and dreary regions which form part of the Great Indian Desert of
Thar. The district can be classified into two natural divisions: (i) north
and western desert, and (ii) south and eastern semi-desert. In greater
part of the territory, the plain is undulating or interspersed with shift-
ing sand hills, the slopes of which arc lightly furrowed by action of
the wind. There are no hills, and no rivulets or streams of any signifi-
cance, and jhe panorama it presents. is that of an expanse of sand
relieved here and there by sand features and a few habitations.

1. As per Goverament of Rajasthan Notification
31.5.1954.

No. F2(46)GA(A)/53 dated

.Gppe^-al

The general elevation of the district plain varks between," 154 ^tp
.42? metres above the sea level sloping generally towards the north-
west.. The sand-dqnes, range in height' from 6 to,^,30 metres, suggesting
the ribbed appearance of a sea shpre. After the rains, the desolate desert
turns into a vpst green, pasture-land for a short time in, t, he year.

RIVER SYSTEM AND WATER RESOURCES
Lakes, Rivers and Tanks

With an average rainfall ranging from 12.70 cni. to 25,40 cm.
(5" to 10") there is .practically, no surface rum-off and therefore,
no river worth the name. There are, however, a few local nullahs in
which the little run-off from the surface wherever it is hard finds its
way. Some of the water in these nullahs is impounded in tanks for
irrigation. The district can boast of only two^small fresh water lakelets
forihed by the drainage of the rocky country in the south-west of the
district. The first one at Gajner is located at a distance of 32 kilo-
metres (20 miles) from Bikaner city. It is about 0.4 km. (quarter
mile) long, and 183 or 274 metres (two or three hundred yards) across.
The water of this lake is mostly utilised for drinking and bathing
purposes but in the years of good rainfall wheat and mustard are also
grown in the neighbouring areas. With its clear and still waters
glistering under the burning sun, and one side framed as it were, by
the imposing palaces and the attached gardens; and the other by
wooded verdure, the lake looks like an inset mirror. It gives great
relief to the weary travellers passing through the dreary desert, or to
the citizens of Bikaner who oppressed by intense summer heat, resort
to its bank for picnic and pleasure.

• The second lakelet at Kolayat is somewhat smaller and is situa-
ted at a distance of about 16 kilometres west of Gajner. Bathing in
t|iis lake is considered to earn religious merit. Many people on that
account visit it. Numerous neat bathing glmts have been built
.around it shaded by peepal trees. It is a beautiful oasis amidst the
vast expanse of arid desert.

There is a salt lake in this district at Lankaransar about '80
kilometres, north-east of the district headquarters. Salt is no longer
being produced from lake waters as it is' of poor quality. There arc
various other tanks in.the district notably at Gangasarowar-Mandal
madb, Dadav, Kinia, Bhatia and Khudi.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Underground Water

Underground water which is the main source for drinking and
other purposes is generally found at a depth of about 90 to ,100 metres
below the ground level. The discharge from the wells varies from
18,200 litres per hour (4,000 gallons per hour) to 91,000 litres per
hour (20,000 gallons per hour).

GEOLOGY

Geological formation

The geological history of western Rajasthan, despite many
discoveries in this field, is still hedged in obscurity. A good many
Geologists, however, believe that during thejurassic, cretaceous and
Eocene periods, the western portion of Rajasthan, including the
Bikaner district was under the sea. Later in the geological period
known as the Upper Tertiary, the sea receded and the area got uplifted
into dry land. According to Dr. D.N. Wadia the long continued and
extreme degree of aridity combined with the sand-drifting action of
the south-west monsoon winds, which sweep through the region for
several months of the year without precipitating any part of their
contained moisture, resulted in its sand-blasted topography. A certain
proportion of the desert sand is derived from the weathered debris of
the rocky prominences of this tract, which are subject to the great
diurnal as well as seasonal alterations of temperature characteristic
of all arid regions. This leads to a mechanical disintegration of the
rocks, producing an abundance of loose debris, which there is no
chemical or organic action (humus) to convert into soil.'

The district of Bikaner is, thus a vast sandy tract. Three of
its four tahslls namely, Bikaner, Ltinkaransar and Naukha arc covered
with sand. Rocks locally known as Magra are found in the south-
western portion of the district, which is part of Kolayat tahsll. In
other parts of the district sand-layer has been found while digging
extensive and deep wells, upto a depth of 45 metres. In the harder
the Magra area, various types of sand-stone, clay and lime-stone have
been revealed at different levels. At a depth of 32 km. (20 miles)
horizontal beds of various rocks belonging to the Eocene Age have
been discovered which shows that this area was subjected to sedimen-
tation of sand stones for a pretty long time. Similar sedimentary

1. R.C. Majumdar : The History and Culture of Indian People, Vol. I, p. 86.

General

formations of the same age have been found in the southrwestern
Punjab (now a part of Pakistan) extending far into the Arabian sea.
It is probable that a long gulf had once . covered the whole portion of
this territory, and the same gradually receded towards the south and
south-west. The geological formations of Epcene Age are well repre-
sented in the neighbourhood of Bikaner city. The strata consists of
thick white and buff limestones and shales. Lignite and beds of
fuller’s earth occur in these formations.

Minerals

The minerals found in this district are mainly conlined to the
small areas in the south. They are as follows:

(1) Fullers’ Earth (Miiltani Mini) — Fullers’ earth is found in
thick beds in the Magra (Kolayat) tahsll and in Palana (about 23 km.
south of Bikaner). It is a well-known greasy clay used by the local
people as soap and for dyeing clothes. It is also associated with sand-
stone and lime-stone and is available in-large quantities.

(2) Lignite— At Palana (about 23 km. south of Bikaner) tlje
lignite deposits are scattered 'in an area, 4 km. long and nearly 1 km.
broad. Its depth varies from^ ^2 meWs,to 67 metres from the surface
and thickness from 1.2 melre^Mio 28.3 metres, 'll contains 8.20 per cent
of moisture, 42,72 per cent of fixed 'carbon and - 9.80 per cent of ash.
Geologically, this lignite belongs to the lower Eocene period. The
lignite deposit is a boon to this desert region where cheap fuel sources
arc not available. Tons of lignite were produced and used by the
power house at Bikaner city during the previous regime of the erstwhile
Slate and till recently.

(3) Gypsum — It is of the best quality available in India and
is found at Jamsar (about 24 km. in the north of Bikaner), at Lan-
karansar (about 80 km.), at Dulmcra (about 68 km.), and at Dhlrera
(about 62 km.). According to the survey conducted by the department
of Mines and Geology, Government of India, the total deposits have
been estimated at nearly 40.6 million metric tonnes (40 million tons).
Gypsum is used by the cement industr}- to a very great extent. Some
deposits of gypsum also occur at Jaimalsar (28'’?' 73^2'), Kanvni
(28‘’9'-73‘’6'), Bharu (18 km. from Jaimalsar), Makrasar (19 km. from
Jamsar), Dholera (9 km. from Jamsar).

(4) White Clay — ^T he deposits of white clay (or fire clay) are

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikan^

found within a radius of 11 km.'from Kolayat. The mines are'situateiS
at Marh, Kotri Indaka Baia and Chandi (all in the Kolayat tahsll).'^

(5) Yellow Ochre— Its minds are located near the Jogira^ Talkt
‘(6, km 'away from Marh village in 'the Kolayat tahsllj’hnd iri'Kismidd-
sar area near Blkarter city.

(6) Glass Sand— Glass sand of a good quality is available in
the village Marh (Kolayat tahsll).

(7) Sand Stone — The deposits of this mineral have been found
at a distance of about 68 km. (42 miles) in the north-east of Bikaner
in village Dulmera. Sand stone is used as a building material. .

(8) Lime Stone — This mineral has been discovered in Naukha
tahsil of the district near village Dawa-Silwa. The mines are located 23
km. (14 miles) away from the Naukha'Tailway statioti,

(9) Grit (Bq/ari)— This is fouhd in large deposits hear Ganga-
shahar, Garsisar and Sheo-Bari, and all around the Bikaner city within
a radius of II km. (7 miles). It is of considerable use in construction,
especially where re-inforced'concrete'work is to be done.

Seismicity of Bikaner

Bikaner district in Rajasthan lies in an area where no earth quake
of any significance has been located in the past. It_ has, however,
experienced the fringe effects of the great earth quakes originajinp, ?itl|cr
in the great Himalayan boundary fault zone, the Sulernan ran^e.pr t^e
Rann of Kutch. According to the records of the National Observatories,
Delhi, the following earthquakes were reported, to have been felt?m
Bikaner district:

S.No. Date Location Bchfatic^''

1 .

2 .

1819, June 16 Rann of Kutch

1905, April 4 Kangra

1931, August 27 Mach

(Baluchistan)

A great shock which caused
devastation near its .place pf
origin. Felt all over.^R^^-
than and, adjoining, a,rpa^,^^

A great shock with its epi-
centre on great Himalaypn
boundary fault zone in
Kangra was also felt all ov«
Rajasthan,

Felt at Bikaner,

General

7 '’

Besides, a'ifew shocks originating in the Hindukush ' ’mountains/*
generally felt upto Delhi could also have been “felt in the district.

There is no record of earth quakes having caused damage to
stffihcfutes in this district in the past.' Aocording to records maximum
seismic intensity! experienced at Bikaner was V on ' the Modified
Mercajli Scaler 1.931 during the earth quakes 'Of-l 819 and 1905J ’

f*J

-With such a spisn:|i,c status, provision of,, earth quake, factor in
the design of ordinarj' , civil engineering structures need not be niade in
the Bikaner district. Safety precautions normally , ^aken , are sufficient
to .coun,teract the hkely earth quake effect in future.

FtORA

The vegetafip'n of Bikaner district falls under the broad natural
division of tropical thorn forest. But due to extremely low rainfall and
extremes of temperature, there is high evaporation and loss of moisture,
converting the district into typical arid tract.

Forests

In such a tract, no forest worth the name can grow. In low lying
areas of the district, however, where the moisture accumulates to some
extent during rains, a few scattered stunted trees of Prosopis Spicigera
( Kliejra) and Tecoma Uiidiflata (Rohira) are found, none taller than 6
metres. Special efforts were made during the regime of the erstwhile
Bikaner State, to preserve the existing forest wealth, wherever found,
and to encourage planting of trees by private individuals by granting
rewards and offering concessions. Cutting of green trees was prohibited
and trees were also planted and preserved, at State expense.

, For the first tirric Tn* 1910, the services of an officer of the Punjab
Forest Depaftrhcht' were secured. iTe was to draw a scheme for
plantation and growth of such hardy trees that could grow and
flourish in this, sandy, tract... A regular forcst department was establish-
ed in the year I9i?4.2. Officers were sent for training to important
traimng-pentms in India^ ./bjurserics were set-up at Gangfmagar, Karan-
pur, Raisinghnagar, Jetsar and Padampur wherein several lac of plants

t. Fch by nearly cvcrj'onci'many awakened. Some dishes, windows, etc. broken;
a few instances of cracked plaster; unstable objects overturned. Disturbance
of trees, poles and other tall objects somctirncs noticed. Pendulum clocks ni.ay
stop,

2. RipoTi on iht AdirJtsisirau'oit of the Bikaner State, 1924-25, p, 7 1 .

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

had been raised. Plants were distributed to the jagirdars and others
to encourage plantation of trees in the area. The results, however,
were not commensurate with the efforts put.

After the merger of the State with Rajasthan, Bikaner and Jodh-
pur divisions were combined to form a forest zone under a Divisional
Forest Officer with headquarters at Jodhpur. A forest ranger is posted
at Bikaner who looks after the activities of the department in the
district. He is assisted by a Forester for Jobar Bir and a few Forest
Guards and Cattle Guards. This small staff looks after the Jobar Bir,
executes developmental works of the department, and also assists the
various panchayats in growing trees and developing pastures. A
working plan for the whole of the division has been drawn for the
years 1960-61 to 1969-70. The plan envisages raising of experimental
plantations on sand-dunes and along the roads in this district.

Revenue from Forest Department

Revenue accruing from the Forest department in the district
during recent years is given below;

Year

Revenue (Rs.)

1962-63

9,510

1963-64

5,397

1964-65

10,349

1965-66

7,667

Protected and Private Forests

As there are no forests worth the name in the district, the
importance of the few patches of Protected forests and Private forests,
therefore, is all the more significant in this typically arid zone. The
following are the important patches of forests in the district.

Jobar Bir

8,861 hectares

(Forest Department)

BtchbwSl Bir

405 hectares

(Forest Department)

BlchUwml Area

9,712 hectares

(Central Arid Zone Research
Institute)

Uilmmsar

188 hectares

(Central Arid Zone Research
Institute)

Gajner Preserve

24 sq. km.

(The Maharajah’s Private
Preserve).

General

Besides, there are a few groves of trees preserved by some of the
temples, as growing and nursing of trees was regarded as a religious
duty. Cutting of such trees tentamounts to committing a sin and they
are thus afforded natural protection. Locally these clusters are called
Oraus and those of Deshnoke and Koramdesar temples are renowned
in this respect.

There are two forest nurseries in the district : (i) Forest nursery,
public park (Bikaner), which is being managed by the Forest depart-
ment of the Government of Rajasthan and (ii) Forest nursery, Sheo-
Bari (near Bikaner) managed by Central Arid Zone Research Institute.

Research Institute — Besides, the two nurseries mentioned above,
there are two Research Centres also, one located at Bichhwal and the
other at Johar-Bir, The former is run by Central Arid Zone Research
Institute for afforestation agronomy and pasture development, while
the latter by the Forest department. Government of Rajasthan for the
purpose of pasture-development.

The other shrubs that are found in protected places are as
follows:

1. Acacia acquemontii (BhooBawli)

2. Acacia Senegal ( Kiimat)

3. Aerva tomentosa (Bui) (Booi-Crotalaria Burhia)

4. Calligoniim polygomides (Phog)

5. Calotropis procera (ak)

6. Capparis aphylla (Karil or Kair) Acacia Catechu {Khair)

7. Cordia rothii (Goondi)

8. Maytenus emarginatus (Kankero)

9. Lcptadenia spartium ( Khimp)

10. Salvadora-oleoides (Jai-pilu)

11. Salvadora-persica (Chhoto pilu)

12. Tamarix ariiatlaia (Farash)

13. Withania somnifera (AsgandJ

14. Ziziplnis jujuba (Ber)

15. Ziziphus nummuiaria (Jhar Ber)

The important grasses that are found growing in the district are
the following :

U Aristida species (Lampla)

2, Ccnchnis cathariictts (Bhariit)

3. Cenchrus ciliaris (Dhanian)

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— "Bifkaabr

4. ' Ceiwhrus setigents (M6dia Dhaman)

5. Daciylocieniuiu scimllciim (Ganthil)

6. DesmOstacliya bipinnala ‘ ( Dab)

7. EleilSine fldgUifera (Nara)'

8. Lashirus seindicus (Sewan) '

9. Panium aniidoiale (Ghamod)

10. Panicum turgidum (Murat)

11. Saccharum Spontaneum (Kans)^,^

Tlrere are no particular vegetalii^e" divisiotis in the district. The
vegetation Tn the eastern and southern part (N^ukha tahsil) is compara-
tively thicker and taller with greater, preponderance ,of Kliejri, Rohira
Ka/ikera and Miinja grass; whereas the drier par^s/m Lunkaransar and
kolayat tahsTls have a few scattered trees of Khejri and , practically
none of l?o/i/ra, /^mikera and no Afioi/a grass. Since therp i^.eKtcnsive
agriculture in Naukha tahsil,^ there is less ground-coyer „vyhei;eas on
account of meagre rain, in the north-western sides, there is .le?s.,of
agriculture and better ground-cover, mostly of grasses and low bushes.
This drier part of the district has^good pastures; 'practically, oT nutri-
tive grasses viz., Seinvaii, Dhaman and Ganthil on which the ^ Rathi
cows, one of the best milch ca^ttle in the cpuntry, and ,thc Jarsalmeri
and breeds of sheep feed.

" FAUNA

Atsimals — A s there arc no wild ■)forcsts or hills, the-^districl
does not abound in any special type oT' wild animals. The ‘fauna found
here is of common variety such as,’ "Black Bilok-Indian antelope
(Antilope cervicapara), chinkara (Gazella benetti), fox (Vvlpe^ benga-
lensis), jackal (Canis aureus), mangoosc (Herpestes edWardsi), porcupine
(Hystrix indica), stripped squirrel (Funambuluspennhntl),'(m\d' boar
(Si« indiciis) and wolf (Canis lupus)

Chinkaras and black bucks, exist in.attundancc as. their; killing
is looked with disfavour and frowned upon by local • inhabitants
especially in villages inhabited by Bishnois.' In the neighbourhood of
Gajncr, wild boars, spotted deer, sambar, blue bull, hares and jackals
roam about in herds. They are preserved and said to do great
mischief. Gajncr (32 km. from Bikaner city), Jn/wr 5/r (10 km. from
the district headquarters), Vallabh garden and Biclihml abound in
Chinkaras (spotted deer and sambar have been introduced in
Gajncr).

General

Reptiles~A large number of snakes are found in the district
haying their different names and sizes. Poisonous snakes, like cobra,
the’krait and the viper, are sometimes seen but the viper, ipcally. known
as exists in .abundance. An interesting, though a gruesome funfir
tion is associated with another .type of snake known .locally sSyPaif^fi
and found in drier parts of the dis^trict. It is believed that, ,this ,^nake
introduces poison in the body through breathing and not by biting.
How far this popular belief is based on truth has, however, npt , yet
been investigated. Mortality rate due to^spake bite is not known.

Birds— Birds commonly found in , pis arid district may pQ
listed as:' 1. ICing Vulture, 2. White Vulture, 3. House-Crow, 4. Jungle-
Crow, 5. King-Crow, 6. the White-checked Bulbul, 7. the Red-vented
Bulbul, 8. the pouse-Sparrow, 9.. Owl, 10. Kite, 11. Rock-Pigeon,
12. Sand-grouse,; 13, Imperial Sandrgrouse (migratory), 14. Grey Patri-
dge, 15. Ducks (common teal, pochard, etc.) in Gajner tank, 16. Pea
fowl, 17. Snipes, 18. Snippet, 19. Grey Shrike, 20. Seven-sisters, 21. the
lesser Bustard (migratory), 22. the Indian Bustard, 23. the Lapwing,
24. the Starling, and 25. Grey Dove.

Of these special mention may be made of the great Indian
bustard (chovistis mgriceps). It is one of the biggest birds in India with
a black cap and whitish neck weighing upto 18.14 kg. (40 lbs). This
beautiful bustard usually has its abode in grassy plains or in standing
crops. It generally stmts in flocks consisting of two to eight or more.
The most marked characteristic of the species is its habit of suddenly
jumping off the ground into the air above the grass. Sometimes it flies
with a peculiar wheeling flight with quick wing beats, but does not
usually rise very high In the air due to its bulk. Its feed consists chiefly
of grass-hoppers, but other insects, grains, seeds and tender shoots are
also welcome to its gaping stomach. The main breeding season is from
August to October. No nest is made, and eggs two to five in number
arc deposited on the ground in some unfrequented path in a grassy
field. The egg is oval in shape but is slightly depressed at the two ends.
The shell is stout and smooth, closely pitted with minute pores, and
usually lias a good deal of gloss. Its meat is finely flavoured throughout
the cold months, but it is tough and often coarse at other limes of the
year. Because of the quantity of meat it contains, this bird is much
sought fo,- and a lot of poaching goes on even though the bird has been
declared as a ‘protected game’ all the year round under the Rajasthan
Animals and Birds Protection Act, 1951 and rules framed there under.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Game Sanctnries

Except for the two private preserves of the Maharaja of Bikaner
viz., Gajner and Vallabh gardens there are no game sanctnries in the
district. All the game within the forests of the Johar Bir , Bichhwvl
and Udramser, however, are protected under the Rajasthan Forest Act.
The preserve at Gajner about 38 sq. km. in area is situated at a
distance of about 32 km. from Bikaner, with an artificial lake and a
beautiful palace of the Maharaja on its bank. The preserve abounds
in various types of ducks, sand-grouse, the imperial sand-grouse, chin-
karas, black bucks, wild boar, hare, fox and blue bull (all the local
species), besides spotted deer (cheeial) and sambaf that have been
introduced and have multiplied there.

The second preserve at Vallabh garden is small in size covering
an area of about 12 sq. km. It is situated close to the town of Bikaner
and abounds in chinkaras, grey patridge, sand-grouse and hares. As it
is acc'es^iSle’ road all the year around and grazing is permitted in it,
it is-fSst losing, its sanctity as a game sanctuary and may soon be
depleted of all the game.

CLIMATE

Tlib district has a dry climate with large variations of tempera-
ture, and^cantV rainfall. The winter lasts from November to March
and iS*folTo,we3 by summer from April to June. The rainy season begins
in July and ends by Mid-September. The weather is mild and pleasant
during September and October. Hot winds continue blowing in summer
during the day sweeping away the old and creating new sand-dunes.
The heat is intolerable in the sun and people while away their time in
underground cellars. With the setting of the sun, the sands lose their
temperature swiftly, and nights become cool and pleasant to bestow
refreshing repose to the shattered nerves. The winters are equally severe,
the temperature sometimes touching the freezing point during the
night. G. S. Ojha has made a mention of an unfortunate historical
incident in which General Elphinstone while going to Kabul passed
through this desert area in the month of November, 1808 (a.d.). He
lost forty men who were not accustomed to, or not prepared to face,
severe sandy winter of Bikaner.

Rainfall

Records of rainfall in the district are available for six stations
for periods ranging from nineteen to eighty years. Appendices I and 11

General

give the details of the rainfall at these stations and for the district
as a whole. The, average annual rainfall in the district is 259.6 mm.
(10.22"). The average rainfall in general increases as we go from
the north-west towards the south-east. For the north-western areas of
the district no rainfall data are available and the rainfall is much less
than in the south-eastern half of the district. About 76 per cent of the
annual rainfall is received from the south-west monsoon.

Variation in rainfall from year to year is considerable. As will
appear from appendix II in forty two years out of fifty, this variation
ranged from 100 to 400 mm. (3.94" to 15.75"). In the fifty years begin-
ning from 1901 to 1950, the highest annual rainfall in the district,
amounting to 293 per cent of the average was recorded in 1917. The
succeeding year 1918 witnessed the lowest rainfall of 24 per cent of the
average. Similar variations in rainfall from year to year are also
noticeable in the north-western areas of the district. In sixteen years,
the rainfall in this area was less than 80 per cent of its^anhual normal
rainfall of the district. In other parts of the district there have been
only three occasions when two consecutive years had less than 80 per
cent of the normal average. At certain places rainfall was less than 80
per cent of the normal in four or even five consecutive years.^

On an average, there are sixteen rainy days (ia:^ days,.with rain
of 2.5 mm. or more) in a year. This number varies from thirteen
at Lonkaransar to nineteen at Bikaner. August is the rainiest
month of the year. The highest rainfall in 24 hours which occurred at
any station in the district, was 265.9 mm. (10.47") at Paliina on
August 7, 1933.

Temperature

There is a meteorological observatory’ at Bikaner and the records
of this station may be taken to be representative of the climatological
conditions in the district. Temperature rises rapidly after March. June
is the hottest month with the mean daily maximum temperature at
41.5''c (106.7'f) and the mean daily minimum temperature at 29.3°c
(84.7'i-). The summer months are extremely hot with scorching dust
laden winds, the day temperature sometimes going upto about 49"c
(120'r). With the advance of south-west monsoon by about the middle
of July, temperature decreases down a little, but the- oppressiveness of
the weather continues due to increased humidity. The highest tempera-
ture recorded at Bikaner on 2Sth May, 1914 was 49.4*c (12rf).

Rajasthafl District Gazetteers — Bikaner

After the later half of September when monsoon withdraws, the
day temperature goes up a little but the night temperature is low. From
November, the drop in both day and night temperatures is very- large
particularly in the winter months. The drop in temperature after nighty
fall is rather sudden and trying. January is the coldest month when the
mean daily minimum temperature is 5.Tc (41.3?f) and the mean daily
maximum temperature is 22.rc (71.8°F). During the winter season,
cold waves affect the district in the wake of passing western disturbances
and the minimum temperature sometimes drops to 2 or 3°c below
freezing point. Frosts are fairly frequent. The lowest temperature of
-4.0'c (24.8 °f) was recorded on January 26, 1964.

Humidity

Except during the brief rainy season, humidity in the air is low
and even during the rainy period, air is dry in between the rains. The
summer months arc the driest, especially in the afternoons of April and
May when relative humidity is of the order of 15 to 20 per cent.

Cloudiness

Even during the rains, it is only on a few days that the skies are
overcast or heavily clouded. They are cither clear or lightly clouded
during the rest of the year, except that during the winter, in association
with western disturbances, cloudy skies prevail for short spells of a day
or two.

Winds

From May to September moderate south-west winds' blow, but in
the rest of the year they are generally light. From May to October
mostly south-west winds blow. During the winter season (November to
March) winds are generally light in the morning^ (directions between
cast and south being more common), but in the afternoons ilic^‘ become
heavy mainly from north-west. In April, the morning winds are’gehe-
rally south-eastern and western while in the' afternoons they blow
mostly from directions between south-west and north-west.

Special weather phenomena

Some of the depressions which originate in the Bay of Bengal in
the south-west monsoon season, move in a westerly direction reaching
the district during their last stages of journey and cause widespread rain

General

before' dissipating'. An occasional post-monsoon storm or depression
also affects the district. Sand and dust-storms and thunder-storms occur
in the summer season. Thunder-storms occur in the south-west during
the monsoon season also. In the wake of western disturbances,
occasional fog occurs in winter.

Appendices m, iv and v give the temperature and humidity,
mean wind speed and frequency of special weather phenomena respec-
tively for Bikaner.

Normals and extremes of Rainfall

16 Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

■4m*

feb

.S w

»n

' 2S

^3*

^ o

c/i

.Sn-

r— i

»-4

»— 1

O-p !

,-4

1 £
<2

•d

cq*

«pm4

Lowest

annual

rainfall

♦

o n

c « '

Ti*

n BcS^ 1

, cq

Nw'

« '

i«— N

i; 5 ««

O rt

3 w-
efi B c '

•-P s «

0^ C >» 1

«n

Tj*

5 « 2

oj O
n B<>0

Sw'

C<i

Nw'

N«.4

•—1

, cq

innunv !

r*^

J3qiU303Q

—

jaqtusAOKr

CC5

asquiajdac

«s

.—4

cc>

cq’

*-4

CCl

IsnSny

-tinf

»o.

w-4

—

»d

r*^

onnr

C-;

«n

i?BJ^

1. 1

0.7

1.0

1.1

0.9

—4

judv

'vf

«n

cq'

vo'

cci

•— (

Xjcnjqaj

rz.

0.6

5.3

0.5

6.1

1.0

6.1

0.6

5.3

0.6

0.7

6.2

0.7

iCjcnncr

■q

cq'

t-. O

O Vi

«o

»n

«n

O C3
^ >\*0

»£:

/-N

sar

•2

•?

—Normal rainfall in mm. b=Average number of rainy days (days with rain of 2.5 mm. or more).
* Based on ail available data upto 1965, Years given in brackets.

General

Appendix II

Frequency of Annual Rainfall in Bikaner District
(Data 1901-1950)

Range in mm.

No. of years

Range in mm.

No. of years

1-100

401-500

101-200

501-600

201-300

601-700

301-400

701-800

Appendix III

Normals of Temperature & Relative Humidity in Bikaner

Mean daily

maximum

temperature

Mean daily

minimum

temperature

Highest maximum
ever recorded

Lowest minimum
ever recorded

Relative

humidity

•08.30 *17.30

"C Date

”C Date

% %

Jan.

22.1

5.2

31.1

1952

Jan.

-4,0

1964

Jan,

Feb.

26.0

8.2

37.2

1953

Feb.

-2,2

1950

Feb.

March

31.8

14.7

42.8

1924

Mar.

-0.6

1898

Mar.

April

37.8

21.0

47.2

1925

Apr.

8.3

1953

Apr.

May

39.4

27.6

49.4

1914

May

16.7

1930

May

June

41.5

29.3

48.9

1897

June

17.8

1888

June

July

38.4

28.1

47.8

1963

July

20.6

1931

July

Aug.

36.1

26.7

43.3

1889

Aug.

21.1

1889

Aug.

Sep.

36.7

25.2

43.9

1915

Sep.

19.1

1924

Sep.

Oct.

35.5

18.8

42.2

1951

Oct.

7.6

1964

Oct.

Nov.

30.4

lO.l

37.2

1943

Nov.

0.6

1937

Nov.

47 ■

Dec.

24.7

5.6

33.3

1963

Dec.

2.8

1950

Dec.

Annual

33.4

19.2

Hours I.S.T.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Appendix TV

Mean Wind Speed in km/hr

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec

Annual

3.4

4.0

5.6

6.4

9.2

12.1

11.5

9.8

8.5

4.7

2.6

Appendix V

Special Weather Phenomena in Bikaner

Thunder 0.2 0.6 0.0 0.9 1.2 3.0 2.0 1.1 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.0 9.8

Hail 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3

Dust-storm 0.3 1.2 1.7 2.0 3.0 5.0 2.0 1.3 0.6 0.6 0.0 0.2 17.9

Squall 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3

Fog 2.0 1.1 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 o’o 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 3.9

> »

CHAPTER II

HISTORY

PRE-HISTORY

As we have seen in the previous chapter, the Great Indian
Desert (also called Thar) of which Bikaner district forms a part, is
believed to have been the bed of a sea, in the pre-historic periods
termed by geologists as Jurassic, Cretaceous and Eocene. No date can
be assigned as to when it was converted into a dry land. It is surmised
that it happened probably sometime in the upper Tertiary. Many
centuries after the marsh had completely dried up, some vegetation
began to spring up resulting in clusters of shrubs and trees. Many
more years rolled by before some habitation was possible in this region,
but when and how it happened is not known. The spread of desert
in this region is ascribed to comparatively a much later period of
history, between 4000 to 1000 B.c. Local tradition regards the holy
tank at Kol'ayat as old as the creation itself.

PROTO-HISTORY

The early hymns of Rigveda make a frequent mention of three
rivers of the Vedic age; namely, Sarasvati, Drishadvati and Shatadru.
Of these Sarasvati was a river par-excellence (Naditama) , the banks of
which reverberated with the chants of Vedic hymns sung during the
performance of many a Yajms. The location of the river is mentioned
in between* Sutlej and Yamuna and it is identified with modern
Ghaggar. It constituted, in the Vedic age, a large river-system, where-
in flowed Drishadvati (now identified with , Chitang) and Shatadru
(modern Sutlej) which rolled on into the ocean. This sacred river,
alongwith its tributaries flowed into the northern part of the erstwhile
Bikaner State, which during those days was a fertile valley. In course
of time this river-system dried up and the dried up bed is clearly
traceable in a westerly direction in Bikaner division till it reaches
Hanumiingarh which was known as Bhatner.

The valley of Sarasvati and the Drishadvati is very rich in
archreological finds, which are of great chronological and cultural value.
These finds show us glimpses of several millennia of Indian history
right from the Harappa period (c. 2300 B.c. to 1750 B.c. as per radio-
carbon dates) to comparatively recent timcsi.

1. Bancrjce N.R., The Iron Age in India, Delhi {1965), pp. 14,96,223,233,240.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Dr. L.P. Tessitory, who had explored the dried up bed of Hakra
(recognised as ancient Sarasvati) in 1917-1919, found that the mounds,
known locally ther or theri were bare of all vegetation and covered
with pieces of broken pottery. He regarded them as Buddhist funeral
places of the ancient Yaudheya tribe. Very interesting relics and even
complete block of red-burnt clay were detached by Dr. Tessitory from
house walls in the villages of Badopal and Rangmahal. He considered
these terracotta sculptures as an off-shoot of the Buddhist art of
Gandhara. But later explorations, done by Sir Aurel Stein in the year
1941, in the dried up bed of Hakra, have brought to light a number
of pre-historic sites in the region of the erstwhile Bikaner State and
particularly, the erstwhile Bahawalpur Statei now in Pakistan. Sir Stein
is of the view that the area was the seat of a great civilisation now
shrouded in mystery, due to its burial under the sand. Sir Stein and
Ghcsh had found numerous mounds strewn with pot-sherds, large and
well-built bricks and actual remains of kilns.

Archaeologically these pottery remains, dug out in the region can
be assigned to at least three stagesS of civilisation due to their variety
and vividness. The first type of pottery is identical with, or similar
to that found at Harappa and Mohanjodaro, and is often painted.
The second type is a grey-ware painted with black designs and belongs
to a later period. The third type is painted black-on-red. All these
types were not found at a single site, but lay scattered under different
iheris. As far as we are concerned all these cultures flourished out side
the present limits of the district; but the fact 'that the remains of
Harappa culture and later Vedic culture were found side by side in this
valley suggests the possibility that the two cultures might have come
in close contact in this region.

In 1946, Herman Goetz made further studies of the mounds in
the region and opined, “it seems much more probable that they are the
last remnants of crude mud-houses and forts such as are constructed
in this part of India upto the present day. When abandoned or
destroyed they slowly disintegrated into these mounds, a process which
can be observed even now in the ruins of Hanumangarh (Bhatner)”.3

1. The History and Culture of the Indian People, Vol. 1, George Allen & Unwin
Ltd.. London (1957), p. 73.

2. Bulletin of the National Institute of Sciences of India, September 1952, p.47.

3. Goetz Herman, The An and Archilecttire of Bikaner State, Oxford (1950), p. 25.

History

Dr. Goetz holds that these remains cannot be ascribid to that of
Mohanjodaro canon, but to a later type developed from it.

The weight of opinions, favouring ascribing these remains to
post-Harappan period ranging between circa 1500 B.c. to 600 b.c, is
greater. The painted grey ware occurring in this region, has helped
the archeologists in ascertaining the chronology of similar remains
found at other places of excavations like Hastinapur, Ujjain and
Kosambi (Kosam village near Allahabad). From this similarity it is
assumed that this type of ware is associated with the Aryans!, the black
and red ware is thought to be of Dra vidian origins. Dr. BanerjeeS is
of the opinion that “the users of the de-luxe painted grey ware ceramic,
who have been provisionally identified with the Aryans and who imbi-
bed and adapted several other ceramic traditions then extant in the
country, including a plain variety of the wide spread black and red
ware, were responsible for the introduction of the Iron Age in India
about 1000 B.c. in the northern plains, and may have transmitted it
by degrees to south India as well as through the megalithic folks i
little later”.

These archaeological finds and the cultural history of the region
leads us to assume that in the hoary past the people inhabiting this
district were perhaps not dissimilar in their ways of life to their neigh-
bours at the border.

ANCIENT HISTORY

In the Mahabharata there are frequent references to Kuru-
Jangalah and Madreya Jangalah. We may infer, from the old
geographical references that Bikaner district formed part of Jangal
territory. Unfortunately nothing much has been mentioned in the
Afahabharata about the civilisation extant in this region. Nothing is
known whether it came under the suzerainty of the various imperial
powers that follov/ed namely, the Maurj'as, Iho Greeks, the Kushanas,
the Guptas, or the Pratiharas. We give below brief account of some
of the tribes that seem to have held sway over this territory in the
remote past.

J. Bancrjcc N.R.. op. cif., p. 14.

2. Subba Rao B., Pcrsonaliiy of India 095S), pp. 117-125.

3. Banerjce N.R., op- cit-, p. 233.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

The Yaudheyas

The untamable and warlike people known as the Yaudheyas
are described in iht A'ihtadhyayi ol ?a.niTa ayiidh-jivi-Kshatriyas or
depending upon arms for their livelihood. The heart of the Yaudheya
territory may have been the eastern Punjab, but they dominated over
the adjoining tracts of the Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.! If they can
be identified with the Johiyas who inhabited the Johiyawar territory,
then it is probable that the northern portion of the erstwhile Bikaner
State remained under their rule.

The Gurjara-Pratiharas

It is held by several scholars that the Gurjaras first settled in the
Punjab and then moved to northern portion of the Bikaner State and
at last settled in Marwar. There they founded the Pratihara dynasty.2
It cannot be ascertained, in the absence of further researches, as to
how long they lived or stayed in this region but it is certain that they
acquired and consolidated a vast kingdom.

The Chahamanas and the Bhatis

The Praliharas were followed by Chahamanas (Chauhans), who
settled themselves in a more promising part of the territory, east of the
Thar desert. They founded their kingdom around Shakambhari
(Sambliar). In the meantime, behind the Chahamanas were advancing
Bhatis, another tribe in the Thar desert, from the north-west
of the territory of the erstwhile Bikaner State.3 They were defeated
by the Pratihara King Siluka. They founded the kingdom of
Derawar, the capital of which was shifted to Lodorva and ultimately,
to Jaisalmer. This new kingdom was much larger than the erstwhile
Jaisaimer State and extended^ from Bhatner (Hanumangarh in Ganga-
nagar district now) and Bhatinda up to the vicinity of Gujarat.

MEDIEVAL PERIOD

Until the second half of the 10th century Jangaldesa formeds a
neglected frontier province of the empire of Kannauj. The
later Pratihara rulers were not strong enough to look after such
a poor country. About 973 a.d. Vigraharaja Chauhan II threw off the

t. The lUslory and Culture of the Indian People, t'ol. II, Bombay (1960), p. 166.

2. The History and Culture of the Indian People, Vol. HI, Bombay (1962), pp. 61-65.

3. Goetz Herman, op. c//., p. 28.

4. ibid., p. 29.

5. ibid , pp. 30-31.

History

suzerainty of the last Pratiharas. In the meantime the kingdom of
Ghazni was founded and its rulers followed the aggressive policy
of, the Umayyads and early Abbasids, of encroaching on the “infidel
lands”. Thus the Thar desert became a theatre of war from time
to time. May be that it remained a neutral zone through which
trade between India and West passed, because several old trade routes
lay in this area of the desert. Besides this, the armies or bands of
tribes also passed through this way.

We know now that due to the important routes lying through
this area, many types of people came, stayed and passed through this
region. Some of them might have established themselves here. After
the advent of the Pratihara dynasty, many new principalities emerged.
Different Rajput clans came into prominence viz. Chalukyas (Solankis),
Chaharaanas (Chauhans), Parmars, Kachhawahas and others. But it
cannot be ascertained as to who ruled in this part of the territory
during those days. Towns and villages sprang up studded with tempi's,
artificial lakes were constructed in the desert areas to convert it into an
oasis. They fortified their hillridges to safeguard their hearth and home.

The different tribes who inhabited the territory occupied by the
erstwhile Bikaner State during medieval ages were the Jats, Johiyas,
Bhatis, Mohils, Sankhalas etc. They lived as serai-autonomous
tribes-cspccially the Jats, who formed the seven different clans amongst
themselves (1) Punia, (2) Godara, (3) Saran, (4) Kaswa, (5) Beniwal,
(6) Sihag, and (7) Sohua, but Tod enumerates only six Jat clans i.e ,
Punia, Godara, Saran, Asaich, Beniwal and Johiya though this last
clan is by some termed a ramification of the Yadu-Bhati Rajputs.
They formed cantons and each canton bore the name of the comrhunity
or clan, and was further divided into districts. These people led
pastoral life, their wealth being their cattle, and they used to quarrel
among themselves.

The Chauhans probably had this area or a portion of it under
their sway during their heyday 'which is evident from the stone-inscrip-
tions engraved on several cenotaphs. Some coins of the Chauhans have
also been found and G.H. Ojha^- records that he had discovered a copper
coin of Ajayadeva Chauhan in the vicinity of Hanumangarh (then
Bhatncr, now in Ganganagar district) and on this basis, it can only be
assumed that the Chauhans had some kind of influence in this area.

1. OJha, G.H., Tkf History of fliijput&na, Vol. V, Part I, Ajmer (1939). p. 70.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Towards the south-east and east of the Bikaner district were
settled in those days, the Rajputs known as Mohils and the area inha-
bited by them was called Mohilvati. These Mohils have been regarded
as one of the branches of the Chauhans.* Their leader was called a
Rana. This has been recorded by Nensi in his Kliyata. Later, these
Eanas of Mohilvati had developed a feud with the Rathors of Jodhpur.
Rao Jodha ithe founder of Jodhpur) had attacked and killed
Ajit Singh (Mohil). Many battles were fought and the Mohils were
rendered weak due to these battles and other internecine feuds. Weak
Mohils were attacked by the Jodhpur army and their territory within
the Jodhpur boundary sacked and confiscated. But the Mohils did not
sit idle. They approached Sultan Bahlol Lodi and with the aid and
co-operation of the Muslim General, Saranga K.han, they regained their
lost possessions from the Rathors of Jodhpur.’

Another important Rajput clan which was inhabiting this tract,
was the Sankhla (Paraniara). They were occupying a portion around
Janglu before the advent of Rao Bika (son of Rao Jodha and the
founder of Bikaner). The area to the west and north-west of the erstwhile
Bikaner State was under the possession of the Bhatis who had the
strong principality of Pugal. with whom later on, Bika had to enter
into a blood-relationship. Bika had to contend against all these tribes
in order to establish himself on a permanent footing.

The dynastic history of the rulers of the erstwhile Bikaner State
begins with the heroic exploits of Rao Bika, son of Rao Jodha, the
ruler of Marwar. He was born^ in 1438 a.d. Rao Jodha had
seventeen sons born of six Ranis. An interesting talc is told of how
Rao Bika founded a kingdom and perpetuated his name for ever. It is
said that Rao Bika one day entered the durbar late and took his seat
beside his uncle, Rao Kandhal with whom he started talking in
whispers. Seeing this, Rao Jodha jestingly asked, “what was this secret
talk between the uncle and the nephew-were they considering conquer-
ing new territory ?” Kandhal took it as a challenge and replied that
this would also be accomplished with his blessings. It so happened

J . Ojha, G.H., The History of Rajpiilanp. Vol. V, Part T, Ajmer (1939), p. 70.

2. i6W.,p.7I.

3. ibid., p. 90. From another account, the d.atc is H40 a.d. while P.W. Powlett in
his Gattettecr of the Bikaner State (1874) gives as 1439 A.D. For the subsequent
rulers also, the dates of birth, death etc. given by dificrent writers arc at
variance with each other.

Historv

that at the durbar was present one Napo, a Sankhla Rajput who, inti-
mated that some Sankhla Rajputs had abandoned a part of Janglu
territory lying to the north of Jodhpur as they were hard pressed by
Bloach incursions. He suggested its occupation. The suggestion was
welcomed and Jodha urged his son to launch on this expedition. An
expeditionary force was accordingly organised comprising 100 horse and
500 foot. Accompanying! Bika were his uncles Kandhal, Rupa, Man-
dan, Mandala and Nathu, his brothers Joga and Bida, Napo the
Sankhla, the master of the horse (Sahni) and a number of Mutsaddis
(writers). According to Powleti, Bika was provided both with a civil
and military staff

The tract which now forms the Bikaner city was perhaps aban-
doned and its occupation would present no problem but towards its
north-west was located a powerful Bhati kingdom; towards its north-east,
the Jats had their small settlements. Hisar was the headquarters of
the Governor of the Delhi Sultan. On other sides were scattered small
chieftainships weak in offensive, but well entrenched in their desert
, fortresses to withstand aggression.

Bika marched via Mandauwar, to Deshnoke where there lived a
famous Charan woman Karniji, believed to be endowed with super-
natural powers. She exercised considerable influence over the neigh-
bouring rajas especially Shekha, the Bhati Rao of Pogal. Bika
paid his respects to her who gave her prophetic blessings in the follow-
ing words “Your power and pelf will be higher than your father's and
many a chief will touch your feet.” After this, Bika moved to Chan-
dasar and then to Koramdesar where the idol of Bhairun was installed
on the bank of a talao by him. There he declared himself as the raja.
Reaching the deserted tract of Janglu he took possession of 84 villages
left by the Sankhlas and started strengthening his army and extending
his domination. It is said that on the advice of Karniji, he allied him-
self with Shekha Bhati, the Rao of Pagal by marrying the latter’s
daughter. This alliance gave a foothold to Bika in the Bhati territory.
In 1478 A.D. Bika wanted to construct a fort at Koramdesar which
was objected to by Rao Shekha. Rao Bika paid no heed to his
protestations which led to an estrangement with the Bhatis. Under the
leadership of Kalikaran Kehrot, the son of the Rawal Kehar of

Ojha, G.H., The History of RiJputSna, Vol. V, Pt. I, Ajmer (1939), p. 91.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Jaisalmer, the dissatisfied Bhatis mustered a strong force and a fierce
battle took place in which Bika won the day, but the Bhatis continued
their harassing tactics with the result that the Rao gave up his plan to
build the fort at Koramdesar and in consultation with Napo Sankh'a,
who was believed to be great observer of omens, chose another site.
Thus were lard rrr 14S5 ^.o., the foundations of the fort around
which, three years later, in G. 1545 (1488 a.d.) the construction of
the city of Bikaner was undertaken.

With the establishment of a permanent capital by Bika, the
neighbouring tribes begaii to feel that a new star had arisen in the
political firmament of the area. Some of them especially the Godara
Jats acknowledged his sovereignty. The allegiance of the Godaras
brought Bikaji into conflict with the Sarans, another tribe of the same
race who approached the powerful Chief of Sewani to help them.
Fight soon ensued between the two Chiefs resulting in an all-out
victory for Bika.

As has been stated earlier, the country of the Vtohils had been
conquered by Jodha and was put under the charge of Bida, brother of
Bika. But soon troubles arose. The Mohil chief and Sarang Khan,
the subedar of Hisar, combined against him. Bida had offended his
father. Finding himself alone and helpless, he asked his brother to
render necessary help. He took refuge with his brother who after rais-
ing strong army of 8000 men, marched against the enemy. Sarang
Khan had to retire in haste to his headquarters after seeing an app-
roaching defeat at the hands of Kandhal. The Mohil country was
restored to Bida but he held it as a feudatory of his brother. Dissatis-
fied Sarang Khan, however, in order to wipe out the blot of the retreat
collected a large force and attacked the Rathor chief Kandhal who
had created a havoc in the Hisar territory. The latter fought gallantly
but fell in action. On hearing this sad news of the demise of his dear
uncle, who had been like a second father to him, Bika took an oath
to eat bread only after he had avenged the death of Kandhal. He
sought help from his father, Jodha, who sent timely help. The com-
bined armies of the Rathors met the enemy at the village of Jhans or
Jhansal. Sarang Khan was killed and his army was put to flight.

Bika was asked by his father not to claim succession to his
estate but to remain content with what he had won, Bika, however.

Hi'tory

wanted to possess the heirlooms and the insignia of royalty brought
from Kannauj, in lieu of his foregoing the claim for his father’s patri-
mony. It is said that Jodha agreed that these would be sent to
Bikaner. But after Jodha’s death when Bika demanded them
from his successor Rao Suja, the latter showed his reluctance;
Bika had to take recourse to arms and invaded Jodhpur which was
taken and given up to plunder. Suja took refuge in the fort which
was besieged. His mother, then, intervened and came to see Bika, who
agreed to raise the siege only if the heirlooms and the royal insignia
were handed over to him. The famous siege of Jodhpur was thus
raised and Bika brought the coveted articles in triumph.

Bika’s younger brother. Bar Singh, the administrator of Merta,
used to plunder the adjoining areas of Ajmer and Sambhar. The Sube-
dar of Ajmer, Mallu Khan, captured him for plundering his villages.
The combined forces of Duda, Suja and Bika advanced and the Subedar
released Bar Singh without putting any fight against the approaching
army.

Bika in order to prevent further inroads on his territory by the
ihakur of Khandela, Rirmal, had to measure swords with him. The
thakur could not withstand the attack, and fled, leaving the town at
the mercy of Bika’s troops who ransacked it getting much spoil. The
last expedition led by Rao Bika was against Rewari in which he
successfully occupied a considerable portion of the territory which
belonged to the Sultan of Delhi. Rirmal the thakur of Khandela,
approached the Sultan for help to push back Bika’s forces from Rewari.
The Sultan of Delhi sent 4,000 Imperial troops under Nawab Hindal
to oust him from the Imperial territory. This joint army attacked
Bika who fought with rare courage and valour and inflicted a crushing
defeat on the enemy killing both the commanders-Hindal and Rirmal.
This was the last of Bika’s military exploits after which he ruled peace-
fully till his death and without any molestation from neighbouring
chiefs. At the time of his death which took place in 1504 a.d, his
rule is said to have extended over 3,000 villages.

Rao Lunkaran

The second ruler, Mara (Naruji) was borni in 1469 a.d. and
succeeded his father in 1504 a.d. But he died childless and was
succeeded by his brother Lunkaran (born in 1470 a.d.) in the year
1505 A.D. His first expedition was against the chieftains who had

1. Another source gives this date as 146S A.D See Ojha, G.H., op. cit , p. 111.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

been deprived of their lands by Bika and after his death they rose in
revolt to wrest the same from his successor. Lunkaran marched against
Man Singh Chauhan of Dadrewa (in Rajgarh tahsil of Churu district)
in 1509 A.D. and defeated him after a siege lasting seven months. In
those days Fateh pur was held by the Kayamkhanis. Daulat Khan
was its ruler at this time who had a feud with Rangkhan. Taking
advantage of this feud, Lunkaran invaded Fatehpur in 1512, and de-
feated them. He annexed 120 villages of their territory^. Later on,
he attacked Chayaiwara territory situated near Hisar and Sirsa and
after defeating Chayal Rajputs annexed a large portion of their
territory. He married a daughter of Rana Rai Mai of Mewar in
S.1570 (1514 A.D. ).

The other event of importance during his rule, was his war with
Jaisalmer in which Rawal Jet Singh? was taken prisoner and his capi-
tal Jaisalmer was plundered. Later the Rawal was released and peace
was concluded. The Rawal’s daughters were married to Lunkaran’s
sons. Sometime later Lunkaran was killed fighting bravely alongwi<h
his three sons against the overwhelming forces of the Nawab of Nar-
naul when his own supporters deserted his banner.

Rao Jet Singh

Jet Singh (born in 1489 A.D. or v.s. 1546) was the eldest son
of Lunkaran. Learning of the death of his father in battle due to
treachery in S. 1583 (1526 a.d,), he applied himself energetically to
the task of punishing those who had deserted his father. He expelled
Kalyan Mal^ son of Thakur Udai Karan Bidawat as a punishment for
his treachery. He then chastised the Johiyas. The principal Johiya,
Tihun Pal, fled towards Lahore, He then sent an army to attack
Dronpur where upon Kalyanmal, the son of Udai Karan fled and took
refuge with the Khan of Nagaur. Jet Singh entrusted Sanga the grand-
son of Bida with the su7.erainty over Dronpur.

Another event of importance worth mentioning in the reign of
Jet Singh was the help he rendered to his nephew Sanga against his
step-brother Ratan Singh the ruler of Amber. The chieftains of Amber
taking advantage of their ruler's addiction to drinking were gradually
appropriating crown lands and chaotic conditions prevailed in the

1. Ojha, G.H., op, cil , p. 113.

2. In some chronicles, the name of the Rawal is given as Devi Das.

3. Powlctt gives this name as Udai Karan instead of Kalyanma'.

History

realm. Jet Singh sent an impressive army of 15,000 men led by Sar-
dars of repute with Sanga, who captured a large territory but con-
sidered it wise to found a new principality at Sanganer. The array of
Bikaner returned without any engagement Jet Singh also rendered
military aid in person to Ganga the Rao of Jodhpur, who wanted to
remove his uncle, Shekha, a claimant to the Jodhpur Gadi. Jet Singh
sent 6,000 soldiers for Ganga’s help. Shekha took help from the Khan
ofNagaur. A bitter fight ensued. The Khan of Nagaur, however,
withdrew his forces suspecting some secret understanding between
Ganga and Shekha. Shekha was accordingly defeated.

In 15341 a.d. Kamran, son of Babur, came down lo Bhatner
(Hanumangarh) with a large army. He took the place and marched
upon Bikaner. There was considerable panic in the town at the
approach of the invading array. Jet Singh retreated to a safer place
and attacked Kamran’s forces suddenly at night. The MusaJmans fled
panic-striken.

A few years later Jet Singh had to face^he fierce, attack-of Mal-
deo, chief of Jodhpur, son of Ganga. There are different versions of
the fight that ensued. The result, however, was' that Jet Singh was

■s , >

killed in the battle, his fort was captured and, half of his territory was
annexed by Maldeo. The family of^Jet Singh had been escprted to
Sirsa bereft of their capital and thwr forc.

Rao Kalyan Singh

The fortunes of the Bikaner dynasty, as Powlett remarks, had
never before or since touched such a low ebb when Kalyan Singh the
eldest son of Jet Singh occupied the Gadi. After establishing himself at
Sirsa, Kalyan Singh started making endeavours to wrest his patrimony.

It was, however, more the political change at Delhi that helped
Kalyan Singh in the achievement of his objective than his military
might. His brother Bhira Raj who had left for Delhi to serve in the
Imperial army under Humayun was able to gain the favour of Sher
Shah who later wrested the Mughal throne from Humayun. It was
again the turn of fortune which induced Maldeo first to offer help to
Humayun against Sher Shah, and later send an army against him,
thereby incurring the hostility of both. Sher Shah, who was on the
look out for an opportunity to crush Maldeo and thereby nip in the

t. From another account, the date is I53S A D. Sec Ojna, op cit., p. 1 31.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

bud any danger of Rajput confederacy against him readily acceded to
the request of Nag Raj the Vazier and Kalyan Singh to march against
Jodhpur to help him restore his kingdom. The influence of Bhim Raj
also worked in his favour. A huge expeditionary force was organised
which set out towards Jodhpur in January 1544. Rao Kalyan Singh
also marched with his forces from Sirsa and joined the Imperial army
on the way. The two armies stood face to face for about a month. '
By a simple strategy Sher Shah was able to sow seeds of discord in the
rival army with the result that Maldeo losing faith in his Sardars, fell
back closely followed by Sher Shah’s army. Near Samel both the forces
clashed and the Muslim army emerged victorious Sher Shah captured
Jodhpur in April 1544. It is stated that Nagraj pursuaded Sher Shah
to anoint Kalyan Singh with his own hands. The Rao was at liberty
to return to his own capital but before doing so he conferred the title
of ‘Restorer of Lost Land’ (Gai Bhum Ka Bahru) on his brother, Bhim
Raj as gratitude for the service rendered by the later. The re-occu-
pation of the capital posed no problem as it had already been vacated
by the forces of Maldeo of Jodhpur. Shortly, after, Thakur Singh
brother of Rao Kalyan Singh, was able to capture Bhatner fort from
the Chayals by a clever stratagem.

Kalyan Singh after the recovery of Bikaner sent a force to assist
Jaimal, son of Biramdeo, ruler of Merta who bad rendered him in-
valuable help in the restoration of Bikaner, against Maldeo who had
recovered Jodhpur by then, and was attempting to occupy Merta. The
combined armies of Bikaner and Merta forced Maldeo to flee leaving ,
Merta intact in the hands of Jaimal.

Tabkat-i-Akbari mentions that after a rupture with Akbar, the
denigrated Prime-Minister Bairam Khan, stayed at Bikaner for some
time as a protege of Kalyan Singh.

Some dacoits plundered the Imperial treasury at Machali village
in Bhatner pargana. Under orders of Akbar, the Subedar of Hisar
invaded Bhatner then in occupation of Thakursi and after a long siege
it was overrun. Thakursi, the brother of Kalyan Singh, alongwith
his followers was killed after a de.spcrate battle. His son, Bagh Singh,
after staying in Bikaner for sometime went to Delhi and entered the
service of Emperor Akbar. There he pleased the Emperor by exhibition of
his extraordinary strength and prowess on several occasions so much so
that the Emperor desired him to ask for any favour. Bagh Singh prayed

History

for the return of Bhatner fort which was gladly acceded to. Thus
Bhatner became re-attached to Bikaner.

In 1570 A.D. Akbar the. Mughal emperor went on a holy visit
to Ajmer to pay homage to the shrine of Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti.
Thence he proceeded to Nagaur where Rao Kalyan Singh, alongwith
his son Rai Singh, waited on him {1570 a. d.). The loyalty and
sincerity of both the father and the son was so transparent that the
Emperor married Kalyan Singh’s daughter^. His son Rai Singh re-
mained in attendance and later on received high promotions from the
Emperor. Kalyan Singh dieds in 1571 or according to G.H. Ojha in
1574 A.D. leaving behind ten sons^. ‘

Raja Rai Singh

Rai Singh, the eldest of Rao Kalyan Singh’s sons was born in
1541 A.D. He ascended the throne after the death of his father. He
had, as stated already entered the Imperial Service, to seek Akbar’s
favbur of maintaining his kingdom. .The Khan of Nagaur was an
enemy of Rai Singh and Akbar was also displeased with him. Rai
Singh was employed therefore for leading an expedition against the
Khan. and the latter .was defeated.

Rai Singh who accompanied the Emperor on his expedition
against Gujarat displayed great valour. In the long and hard conquest
which preceded the conquest of Gujarat, Bikaner forces suffered heavily
losing in battle thirty-three Thakurs and officials of hote^. It is said
that Rai Singh killed Mirza Muhammad Hussain of Gujarats. His
brother Ram Singh had also distinguished himself in this campaign

1. Erskine, o/j. ciV.. p. 317. But this event is not alluded to in the Khyats, while

Firishtaih his Tarikah-i-FirUita (translated by Briggs) mentions it on pp. 234
and 260. ... . ■

2. Erskinc, op. cif., p. 317. Dr. G.H. Ojha in History of RSjputZna, Vol. V. parti
(on p. 156), does not accept this date, accepted by Powlett in The Gazetteer of
the Bikaner State (p. 22) and holds that as the Chhatri of Kalyan Singh, erected
after his death, records the date of his demise as Magh Sud 2, 1630 (24lh Januaiy.
1574). Powlclt’s acceptance is wrong. But in the book House of Btkaner on page
209 the genealogical tabic gives this very date i.c. 1571 A.D. This has upset the
chronology of certain events occurred during the period.

3. Tod, in his Annals and Antiquities of Rdjasth&n, on p. 1132 mentions that Kalyan
Singh had three sons. But Powlett and Dr. Ojha mention ten sons.

4. Powlett, op. cit , p. 22.

5. Tod, and Antiquities of Rajasthan, p. 1135.

32 Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

and was granted a mansab. Rai Singh obtained a grant of 52 para-
ganast yielding a revenue of 4,02,06,274 dams (about ten lacs of rupees
if the dam be considered a fortieth part of a rupee). Powletta is of the
opinion that the grants were probably made as much on account of
Rai Singh’s matrimonial connections with Akbar as on account of his
military services.

Rai Singh was next ordered by the emperor to punish Chandra
Sen, son of Maldeo of lodhpur, and an expeditionary Mughal force
was sent against him. Sojat and Siryari were taken and Siwana was
besieged. Chandra Sen fled from Siwana fort, which, however, could
not be taken by the Imperial forces and Rai Singh was recalled by the
emperor. Later, Shahbajkhan was despatched to Siwana who was
successful in capturing that fort.

The Emperor ordered Rai Singh to go to Sirohi with a force to
subdue Surtan Deora who had displeased the emperor. Rai Singh mar-
ched to Mount Abu and invested the fort at Achalgarh which Surtan
was occupying. He captured the Deora and sent him as a prisoner to
the Imperial Court at Delhi.

Rai Singh is mentioned as one of those who were sent to Kabul
about 1582 a.d. Two years later he served in Bengal. Then, he and
Ismail Kuli Khan, one of the successful generals of Akbar, successfully
led an expedition against the Baluchis in v.s. 1642 (1585 A.D.) and
returned bringing with them the chief men and leaders of the tribe. He
was next employed in the Deccan where he was a Subahdar of Burhan-
purfrom v.s. 1642 to v.s. 1649 (1585 to 1592 AD.). When he was
here, he planned and caused his minister, Karam Chand Bachawat to
begin the construction of the present fine fort of Bikaner. Its founda-
tion was laid jnl589A.D, and the work was finished3 in 1594 a.d.
In 1586 his daughter was married to Prince Salim* (afterwards the
Emperor Jahangir), their son Parwez being one of those who un-
successfully strove for the empire with Shah Jahan.

After serving in Sind with Khan Khana Mirza Abdur Rahim
and in the Deccan with Prince Daniyal, he was made Governor of Surat

1. Powlcti, op. cii , p. 23.

2. ibid., p. 23.

3. The exact date has been given by Dr. Ojha after full calculations in his book
77/c History of Rs.jput&na, Vol. V, part I, p. 379.

4. But this evem is not mentioned In the A'Ayo/j, Firishta mentioned it In Tarlkh-i-
Flrlshta. translated by Briggs, pp. 234 and 260.

History

about 1596. It is said that Rai Singh had enraged Akbar by not
handing over one person named Teja Bagor who had insulted and
manhandled Nasir Khan, a father-in-law of Akbar, despite the
Emperor’s clear orders. Consequently by the imperial orders Bhatner
was taken from Rai Singh and given to his son Dalpat Singh.i

Rai Singh was ordered in v.s. 1660 (1603 a.d.) fo accompany
Prince Salim to the Mewar expedition against Maharana Ainar Singh.
The expedition, however, did not take place as Prince Salim did not
want to go to Mewar2.

Akbar fell seriously ill in September 1605. Rai Singh was called
to reach the capital post haste by a nishan, issued by Prince Salim on
11th Oct. 1605. This is stated to be due to the fact that Raja Man
Singh Kachhawaha and Khan Azam who were all-in-all at the court at
that time, were manoeuvring to instal Khusrau on the throne as he was
the nephew of the Kachhawaha Chief and the son-in-law of the Khan 3
Rai Singh was considered by Prince Salim as the person on whose help
and loyalty he could implicitly rely. About a month later Akbar died
on 15th October,/1605 and Prince Salim ascended the Mughal throne as
Emperor Jahangir. Rai Singh was a mansabdar of 4000 but Jahangir
raised his mansab to 5000 on his accesion. When he set out towards
the Punjab in pursuit of Khusrau, Jahangir put the Raja in charge of
the travelling harem. Rai Singh, accompanied the harem for a few
stages but left them on the way without permission and proceeded to his
capital. On the Emperor’s return from Kabul, he in 1608 (14th January,
1608). presented himself at court with a faiitah round his neck,
to show his willingness to suffer punishment for his lapses and delin-
quencies but was again pardoncdA Subsequently, he was reappointed

Powlett (op.c/f., p. 27) and Dr. G.H.Ojha(op.c/f., p. 184in foot-note No. 4)
describe this event on the basis of Dayaldas ki Khyata, Vol. 2, p. 32. Akbar, in
his Forman of 22nd Isfandarmuz, 40 (Feb. 1595 A.D.) issued to Rai Singh has
alluded to Teja (Tijia). See A Descriptive List of Formans, Mansiturs and
Nishans, Directorate of Archives, Government of Rajasthan, Bikaner (1962),
p. 4.

.2. Dr. .Ojha (ap.cf/.. p. 18S-S9) mentioned this fact on the basis of Akbo’-namah,
translated by Beveridge, p. 1233-34.

2. Dr. Ojha (op.cit., p. 189-90); Munshi Devi Prasad's tr, Jahangirnama, p. 16.

•t. Erskine K.D., op.cit., p. 319.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

to the Subah of Burhanpur which he governedi successfully for several
years. He died at that place in 1612. Rai Singh had four sonsS .

Maharaja Dalpat Singh

Dalpat Singh, who succeeded Rai Singh^ in v.s. 1668 (1612
A.D) was born in v.s. 1621 (1565 a. d.). Soon after his accession
he paid visit to the imperial court to do homage to the Emperor,'^ who
conferred on him the title of Rai and invested him with robe of honour .
He is said to have incurred the Imperial displeasure by refusing to com-
ply with orders to proceed to Thatta to assist Mirza Rustam^.

Dalpat Singh antagonised his own people and this ultimately led

t. In the Dayaldas ki Khyai, it is recorded that seeing Rai Singh feeling great
agony in his last time, his son Sur Singh, who was also with him there, asked as
to what was the cause of the great pain, upon hearing which Rai Singh gave as
his last instructions (Powlett, op.cit., p. 28) that Karam Chand his Minister, who
had planned to dethrone him in favour of his son Dalpat Singh, should be
punished alongwith other conspirators, severely for the misdeeds. The Khyat
further mentions that having exacted a promise from Sur Singh that his wishes
would be attended to, Rai Singh expired in v. s. 1668 (1612 a.d.) Ojha, op.cit.
p. 196.

2. Powlett, op.cit., p. 28.

3. Tod in his Annals and Antiquities of Rijasth&n on page 1135 mentions that
Rai Singh was succeeded by his only sen, Karan in S. 1688 (a.d. 1632), But
according to Erskinc Western Rajputana State Residency &. Bikaner Agency
Gazciiccr - III A. p. 319-20 and III B, page 83) and Dr. G. H. Ojha (History of
Rijpntina. Vol. V, Part I. pp. 206-211) Dalpat Singh and Sur Singh were the two
Rajas between Rai Singh and Karan Singh.

4 Dr. G.H. Ojha (op.cit ,p 206) on the authority of Tnznk-i-Jahangiti (translated
by Rodt'crs) and Jahangitnama (tr. Munshi Devi Prasad) writes that Rai Singh
wished that he should be succeeded by Sur Singh, his son from Bhatiyani Rani
Ganga; but as he died while in the South, Dalpat Singh became the Raja of
Bikaner, Dr. Ojha, further adds that Dalpat Singh went to do homage to the
Emperor and was granted the Kkitah of Rai. Sur Singh, who was present at the
time in the court, told that his father had wished to make him the Raja instead
o'' Dalpat Singh. The Emperor was enraged at this and ’ told Sur Singh that
his father wanted to make him (Sur Singh) a Raja, while ho (Jahangir) gave
that honour to Dalpat Singh. Dalpat Singh was recognised as Raja by the
Emperor.

5. inJaUangirnama (Tr. Munshi Devi Prasad) is recorded that Jahangir, after
raising the tnansab of Dalpat Singh from 1500 to 2000, ordered him to accompany
Mirza Rustam, an Amir, who was appointed the Imperial Officer to administer
the region around Thatta in Sindh. But Dalpat Singh went to Bikaner direct
mstcad of going to Thatta.

History

to his doom. He estranged the Bhatis by an unsuccessful attempt to
erect a fort in Chudehar near Anupgarh. His brother Sur Singh held
Phalodi with 84 villages. He resumed them all with the exception of
Phalodi on the advice of his Musahib Purohit Man Mahesh. When
Sur Singh visited the Purohit in this connection, the Purohit insulted
him by keeping him waiting and ultimately curtly refusing to reconsider
the matter. Sur Singh, however, did not revolt there but sent an agent
to Delhi and after remaining two months at Bikaner sought permission
to take his mother on a pilgrimage of Sauron Ghat on the Ganga.
This was readily granted and he met his brother-in-law Raja Man
Singh of Amber at Sanganer. While at Sauron, Sur Singh received
fannan summoning him to the Imperial Court at Delhi, procured
according to Powlett, no doubt by his agent. The Emperor granted
him Bikaner and sent a force under Nawab Zabdin Khan (Ziauddin
Khan) to install him as the ruleri. Dalpat Singh defeated the aimy at
Chhapar. What the Nawab, however, could not achieve by force of
arms was accomplished by intrigue. So great was the unpopularity of
Dalpat Singh, that all of his nobles except Thakursi the Baid, an
bid servant of the State and at that time governor of Bhatner, deserted
him to join Sur Singh’s banner. Surrounded by his treacherous Sardars,
Dalpat Singh advanced to battle seated on an elephant with the Thakur
of Churu who acting as his attendant tied his arms from behind in
an act of abject treachery, and made him over to the enemy. He was
first conveyed to Hisar and thereafter sent to Ajmer and imprisoned
there, guarded by 100 men. Thakur Hathi Singh Champawat of
Marwar, who happened to pass through Ajmer, was approached by
Dalpat Singh’s agent for necessary help in securing his' master’s release.
The Thaknr’s party comprising 400 men attacked and killed the guards
and released him, but they were soon surrounded by the Subedar of
Ajmer with a strong force of 4000 men^ and Avere killed to the last man.

This version is given by the local chroniclers, but the Muslim
sources give different version according to which, though Sur Singh
had displeased the Emperor by the bold manner in which be had pre-
ferred his claim before him, yet Dalpat Singh had also annoyed the
Emperor by returning to Bikaner without permission, and refusing to
accompany Rustam Khan to Thalta as stated before. In 1613 a.d.,
the Emperor received the news of the defeat of Dalpat Smgh. whose

1. Powlett . op. dt., p, 29.

2. OJh.A, G.H., op. cjf., pp. 210-U. -

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

army had then started creating trouble in the Hisar area. Hashim, the
faiijchr of that Sarkar caught Dalpat Singh and sent him fettered to the
court, wheie he was executed as a warning to otherst.

Sur Singh

Sur Singh, born in 1594, succeeded his brother in 1613 A.D.,
under the above mentioned circumstances. He is said to have retained
the imperial favour during the whole of Jahangir’s reign. He was
associated with many important missions during this period. On one
occasion he was ordered to join the Imperial forces to suppress Prince
Khurram’s revolt (1624 a.d.j. He was honoured by Jahangir for his
loyalty by presenting him with a horse and a Khilat^. He was appoin-
ted to serve at Burhanpur in Deccan in 1626 A.D. Hagaur pargana
alongwith other villages and the fort of Maroth, were given to him in
Jagir by the Emperor in 1627 a.d. He was sent by Shahjahan on an
expedition to Kabul in 1628 alongwith others. He was again deputed
to join Imperial army to crush the rebellion of Jhujhar Singh of
Orchha. Under Khwaja Hasan he was sent to capture Khanejahan
Lodi, a rebel mansabdar,

Sur Singh’s fair name is besmeared by his revengeful disposition.
In fulfilment of the promise made by him to his father on the latter’s
death bed, he induced the sons of the late minister Dewan Karam
Chaod to leave Delhi and come to Bikaner. They were appointed
Dewans apparently to lull them into security and then within two mon-
ths of their arrival were surrounded in their houses. All of them fell
fighting except one who was then at Udaipur. Sur Singh was not the
person to forget or forgive the insult offered to him by Purohit Man
Mahesh and Barhat Chauth, in his brother’s time. He confiscated their
jagirs. He also got murdered Saran Bhartha (Jat) who had rebelled
against his father. Sur Singh died while serving in the Deccan in
1631 A.D.

Yet another incident of Sur Singh’s time deserves mention. His
niece was married to Rawal Bhim of Jaisalmer. After the Rawal’s
death, she implored Sur Singh to come immediately to her place, fully
equipped with forces in order to save her son’s life, which was threatened
by the Bhatis. Before Sur Singh could reach Jaisalmer, he received the

1. Lrskinc, o/j.c/7., p. 320. Also sec A Descriptive List of Formans, Manshurs and

Nisbans, op. cit., p. 24 which mentions the defeat of Dalpat.

2. Ojha G.H., £>p. ci/., p. 224.

History

news of the murder of the son of his niece. He then swore that no
Bikaner Chief’s daughter would ever go to Jaisalmer in matrimony, an
oath which was observed by his successors! too.

Karan Singh

Sur Singh was succeeded by his eldest son, Karan Singh in 1631
who was born in S, 1673 (1616 a.d.)2. He had held a inansab of 2000
and the governorship of Daulatabad during his father’s life time. He
proceeded as usual to Delhi to do homage, but does not seem to have
mare much impression there, as the district of Nagaur was taken from
him a few years later and granted to Amar Singh, a relative of Raja of
Jodhpur. Karan Singh was associated with a few campaigns e.g.
against Ahmadnagar in 1632 a. d., and later against the’ Parende Fort
and others

The grant of Nagaur to Amar Singh of Jodhpur caused bad blood
between him and Karan Singh, especially because he took possession of
village Jakhaniyan also, which had belonged to Bikaner. Karan Singh
with the sanction of the Emperok, succeeded in ousting him from
Jakhaniyan. The matter being thus settled, peace was maintained in
the area as both were detained in Delhi.

In 1652 A.D. Karan Singh’s mansab was increased and after
some time, he was sent to the Deccan to take possession of Jaoris
pargana (under Aurangabad Subah) which was granted to him.

Sudarshan, the Rao of Pagal, rebelled and after a siege lasting
a month, Pagal was taken by Karan Singh. It had been a place of
note and importance as it lay between the city of Bikaner and Multan.
The Bhatis had acquired it from the Panwars. At that time it had
200 villages and in Karan Singh’s time this number had increased to
561. Now the descendants of Shekha, Bika’s father-in-law, claimed
division of the estate. It was accordingly divided amongst the descen-
dants of the three sons of Shekha. The eldest son’s descendant,
obtained Pagal and 252 villages. The two descendants of the second

1 . ErsV.inc, op.c/f., p. 320.

2. Ojha G.H. op.cit , p. 229; House of Bikaner, p. 209. But Powletl mentions
S. 1663 (1605 A.D.) as the year of Karan Singh’s birth which appears to be
incorrect as in S. 1663 his father Sur Siegh was 12 years of age, and procreation
at such ogc appears iinprabable.

3. Pov.'lett; (op. aV,, p. 32) gives this date as 1701 V.S. or 1644 A.D., presumably
on the basis of the Dayatdas-ki-Kkyat.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — BTkaner

son obtained Blkampur with 84 villages and the other Varsalpur with
41 villages respectively. The descendant of the third son received
Raimalwali with 184 villages.

In the struggle for succession among the sons of Shah Jahan for
the imperial throne, Karan Singh sided with Aurangzeb and two of his
gallant sons, Kesari Singh and Padam Singh, participated in the
principal battles. It is said that they led the imperial van in more than
one fight. In the last desperate fight with Dara, they particularly dis-
tinguished themselves, in appreciation of which the Emperor with his
own handkerchief, brushed off the dust from their persons as they stood
before him hot from the battle^.

An incident occurred in Raja Karan Singh’s time which is well
known. The Rajput chiefs had joined the imperial army, ostensibly
for a campaign beyond the Indus, but by the time they had reached
Attock, Karan Singh discovered, with the assistance of friendly saiyads
in his service, that the emperor Aurangzeb intended to convert
all the Hindus by force after they had crossed the river. They, there-
fore, took counsel regarding the course to be pursued and it was agreed
to adopt a course of action in which the Musalmans would insist on
their right of precedence as regards crossing of the river, which would
result in their reaching the other bank first, leaving the Rajputs on
this side of the river. Accordingly the Rajas sent their liarkaras
(messengers) to take possession of the boats, and as had been foreseen,
the Musalmans resented this move, as an impertinerrt act. They drove
away the liarkaras and declared that they would use the boats first
iWhen the boats, containing the Muslim portion of the array had
crossed the river, news arrived of the death of the mother of the ruler
of Amber. On this pretext all the Rajas delayed their crossing for
twelve days, during which period the next step to be taken was an>i-
ously discussed. It was evident to them that, if they were to leave
the means of recrossing the river in the hands of the Emperor, the sec-
tion of the Muslim army would immediately attack them (Rajput
chiefs) in their rear in the event of their turning homewards, and conse-
quently they would not escape without severe loss. Comprehending
the gravity of the situation they came in a body, to Karan Singh and
pointed out that, since his territories were less susceptible to invasion,

1. Erskinc, K.D., og.ciV , p. 320. G.H. Ojha, however writes on the basis of i he
Persian sources that Karan Singh remained neutral during the struggle for the
sueccssion to the Mughal empire tOjha. op.dl., p. 243)

History

he could, with comparatively little danger to himself, save their reli-
gion, and bear the brunt of the imperial displeasure by destroying the
boats. Karan Singh agreed to do so on the condition that they would
all, for one day, greet him by proclaiming Jai Jangaldhar Badshali
meaning ‘victory to the king of the desert’. To this the Rajput rulers
agreed, and the Bikaneris then set to work to destroy the boats in the
presence of the ahadi (imperial messenger). The guilt of leading the
league having thus been laid upon the shoulders of Karan Singh, the
other Rajas and their followers joined in the task. All the boats were
soon rendered useless and the Rajputs set olf confidently on their
way home.

• Aurangzeb returned to Delhi boiling with rage at the imperti-
nence of the Bikaner ruler, whom he summoned to his presence. The
call was obeyed, and the Raja’s two most distinguished sons, Kesari
Singh and Padam Singh, accompanied him. The Emperor had resol-
ved to have Karan Singh murdered in the Durbar; the plott had
matured and the assassins were present, but all was frustrated by the
formidable appearance of the famous brothers as they sat beside their
father. A sign was made to the assassins not to act, and they were only
too glad to obey it; and as the Bikaner party was leaving, Aurangzeb
praised the ruler’s gallant sons specially alluding to the conduct of
Kesari Singh in the last great battle with Dara.

Karan Singh was sent to Deccan for service. While in Deccan
he served the Emperor faithfully. He died there in 1669, a year after
his arrival in Aurangabad.

Maharaja Anup Singh

Karan Singh’s eldest son Anup Singh succeeded him to the throne
inv.s. 1726 (1669 a.d.). While yet a prince he had been granted a
riwtisab of 2000 Zat and 1500 Sawars by the Emperor Aurangzeb and
also right lo succeed to the Bikaner gadi^. For his meritorious services

t* Erskinc, op. c//., p. 321-322. It is said that Baotnali Das, an illegitimate son
of Karan Singh approached the Emperor with the request that if the Emperor
could make him Raja of Bikaner, he was ready to embrace Islam. It is said, that
Aurangzeb agreed to it and he assured Banmalt Das that his father’s gadi would
be given to him, and hence this plot to assassinate Karan Singh. Ojha, op.cii.,

■ pp. 247-248.

2. Ojha, p;).C4f., pp. 253-54, The account given by the Powictt, how'cvcr, difiers -
from it, Powlctt, cp.dt., p. 3$. ' , ,

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

in the Deccan, the title of Maharaja was conferred upon him by the
Emperor He distinguished! himself in the capture of Golconda in ihe
year 1687 a.d. He was deputed to Adoni as governor in the Bellary
district, a name still well known in Bikaner as connected with the glory
of its fighting men.

An important event in the Bikaner State occurred whilst the
Maharaja was at Adoni. The Bhati Thakurs ofKharbara and Raimal-
wali (now in Ganganagar district) rose in rebellion. They held the fort
ofChudher where they were joined by Johiyas. They proved to be
formidable for some time but were frustrated in their purpose by an
energetic official of the State, Mukund Rai, and the fort was dismant-
led. A new and a larger fort named Anopgarh was constructed in
1678 A.D. The Maharaja at Adoni was heartily pleased wiih this
success and handsome rewards were conferred on Mukund Rai and his
principal associates.

The jagir of Kharbara was granted to one Bhagchand Bhati who
was loyal to the State. The area was often attacked by the Johiyas.
Seeing this the Thakur of Mahajan requested the ruler that if Kharbara
was granted to him, he would extend the boundary of the State upto
the banks of Sutlej. After obtaining the desired grant, the Mahajan
Thakur attacked the Johiyas The latter were also asi,isted by the
descendants of Bhagchand Bhati. The Thakur was killed and his heir
was carried away by them but released him later as he was a minor.
But within a year or two the chief of Johiyas at Hisar attacked Sirsa,
and that /rorgflna was lost temporarily to Bikaner. One Hayat Khan
Bhatti who had charge of Bhatner on behalf of the Bikaner State; joined

the Johiyas and declared himself independent. Bhatner was, for a tiivn’,
thus lost to Bikaner.

It is said that Bunmali Das, an illegitimate son of Karan Singh,
had been intriguingS at the Mughal Court to obtain Bikaner. He
succeeded in getting half the Mansab of Bikaner through the good
offices of Sycd Hasan Ali, an important dignitary at the Court. He

t. Ojha, vp.clt., p, 271.

2. Ojha, G.H., op. cit., p. 263. However, in the davali of Banmalidas in the village
Changoi the memorial inscription gives the date of his death as Samvat 1734 or
1589 Soka but the figure 3 is defaced and can be read as 2 also which gives the
corresponding Saha dale correctly. It is, therefore, possible that the event took
place m the closing years of the reign of Karan Singh when Anup Singh was only
a prince. The matter needs further investigation.

History

came to Bikaner with an army. It is said that Anup Singh entertained
him lavishly, but Banmali Das who had been converted to Islam killed
goats and sheep near the sacred temple of Laxmi Narain, showing
little respect for Hindu sentiments. The request to refrain from such a
sacrilege went unheeded. Anup Singh resorted to a stratagem to do
away with this new danger. He entrusted his father-in-law Lakshmi
. Das with the task of removing Banmali Das from the scene, deputing
Bika Bhimrajot of Rajpura to help him. Both -of them approached
Banmali Das as rebels against Anup Singh and succeeded in gaining
his confidence. Lakshmi Das was able to prevail upon Banmali Das
to marry a girl brought by him. This girl was a slave-girl and on the
nuptial night, she offered him wine mixed with poison, as was already
planned. Banmali Das died consequently and it was given out that he
had died natural death. All information to the contrary was suppressed
by bribery. Thus was warded off the Emperor’s displeasure.

Maharaja Anup Singh died at Adoni in the Deccan in v.s.
1755 (1698 AD..). Besides being a soldier of high courage and for-
tune, he was a great scholar of Sanskrit and the regional language.
He patronised learning and was himself an author of some books in
Sanskrit. When Aurangzeb invaded Deccan, Anup Singh collected
Sanskrit manuscripts and established a library in Bikaner. The library
is now known as the Anup Sanskrit Library where rare manuscripts and
books arc preserved.

Swarup Singh

Maharaja Anup Singh’s eldest son Swarup Singh succeeded him'
in 1698 A.D. at the age of nine while at Adoni in the Deccan. From'
the beginning, he had been at Aurangabad and Burhanpur. He escor-
ted the children of the Maratha leader Ram Raja to the imperial court
on 10th July, 1699 A.D. He fell a victim to an attack of small pox
and died in 1700 A.D. This short period of his reign is marked for the
intrigues at the capital, where the ruling power was exercised by his
mother, a xSisodia princess.

Sujan Singh

The next ruler of Bikaner was Sujan Singh a brother of Swarup
Singh who came to the throne at the early age of ten in vs. 1757
(1700 a. D.). Aurangzeb who was in the Deccan at the time called
him there and he remained there in the imperial service for about ten
years. Aurangzeb died in 1707 a.d. After his death chaotic conditions

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

prevailed in Delhi. Sujan Singh stayed back in the Deccan and taking
advantage of his absence from Bikaner, Maharaja Ajit Singh of Jodhpur
invaded Bikaner. Bikaner city was occupied but ultimately due to stiff
resistance offered by the Bikaner forces Ajit Singh thought it better to

withdraw his troops who had suffered heavily from heat and scarcity of
wateri.

In 1719 A.D. nduhammad Shah ascended the throne of Delhi.
Maharaja Sujan Singh had returned to Bikaner after about ten
years service in the Deccan. The Royal messengers came to summon
im to Delhi but due to uncertain and fluctuating situation at the
mperial capital he did not think it prudent to go there personally. He

however sent a force to serve the Emperor. ' '

• Singh at the same time proceeded to Dnngarpu'r and was
marrie there, and on his way back, he spent a month at Udaipur as

he guest of the Maharana Sangram Singh il,

p., said that Ajit Singh of iodhpur whose ' attempt to seize

< 5 > foiled earlier planned to seize the persoh of Sujan

bmgh while the latter was at Nal. He sent presents avowedly bn the
casjon o the birth of the second son to Siijan Singh but instructed

tilT It is said that Sujan Singh got a

Th^ 1 ^’'Sence about the intrigue and returned to the fort from Nal.
The Jodhpur ruler’s designs were frustrated.

^ (1730 A.D.) the Maharaja proceeded to Nohar

Johiv^c district) to punish the insurgent Bhatis and

thekevsofthpfnT* submitted without any opposition, surrendered
20 000 ^ ° Hhatner and presented to him a tribute of Rs.

In V. s. 1790 (1733 a.d.) the ruler of Nagaur Bakhat Singh

the younger brother of Maharaja Abhay Singh of Jodhpur, invaded’

^ that some of the Thakurs of Bikaner State

had been taken mto confidence by the Maharaja of Jodhpur. The lovaTs !
found out that some of them in co-operation with olher ' people Were frvinc to

resolved to withdraw his troops. situation, Ajit Singh

History

Bikaner with a strong force. Prince Zoraw^i' Singh, the eldest son of
Sujan bingh was then at Nohar with his force He marched towa'rds
the capital joined the troops sePt by Sujan Singh and re-

pulsed Bakhat Singh. When this news reached Jodhpur, Abhay Singh
himself joined his brother with a huge ar^Jy. The combined forces
again surrounded the fort but it was so well defended and the Bikaner
force put such' a stiff resistance, that Abhay Singh could not make any
progress". 'When provisions and water be^^^^e scarce Abhay Singh
approached the Rana of Udaipur to intercede* Consequently a rapport
was -made and the Jodhpur armyi was permitted to return to Jodhpur
unmolested by Bikaner forces. Again an att^cnpt was made by Bakhat
Singh in 1734 to seize the fort but again svithout success. Maharaja

ha-b.a.4

settle a quarr el between theThakurs of Bhadra and Bhukarka. He left
two sons, Zorawar Singh and Abhay Singh.

Maharaja Zora'war Singh

Sujan Singh was succeeded2-'.in.'A..i?. .b'y-.-his,. eldest son
Zorawar Singh. He began his careef.by 'expeliing^some -Jodhpur troops
who had occupied some border'/Zitanos of Bikaner. Then he.put down
the disorder prevalent in his State. Sangr^m Singh, the Xhakurof
Churu who adopted an'attitudfcv^l^ diseffection , and disloyality, was
expelled and another Thakuf^put iiThisTpi^^cT^. Thereupon- Sangram
Singh \yent to Jodhpur and' squght~jnotection which Zorawar Singh did
not like and therefore; restored San^rhm 'SiPgh to his estate. Sangram
Singh returned directly from Jodhpur to his estate without .paying any
homage to the Bikaner ruler, thus reopeniPg the breach. Ultimately
Sangram Singh was removed from his Jagir. and he openly, rebelled
against the Bikaner ruler by seeking protectip" ^t Jodhpur court.

In v.s. 1796 (1739 a.d.) the Jodhppr army again attacked the
Bikaner territory with 10,000 men. The ruler of Bikaner had made
adequate preparations to meet the invaders. Meanwhile overtures -were
in progress between Bakhat Singh of Nligaur and Zorawar Singh.
Bakhat Singh ofNagaur sent assurances to the Maharaja of Bikaner

1. DifTcrent version is given of this episode by the Jodhpur Chroniclers. Ojha, G.H.,
on.cii., p. 303.

2. Ojha, G.H., op.o'/., p. 307. Powlctt (op.c/f., p. '*4) gives this date as 1735 a.d.
Likewise the d.'Ucof dvaihcf this ruler also differs and Powlett gives this as
1745 A.o,

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

of his timely help against the ruler of Jodhpur with whom his relations
were now estranged. In order to prove his sincerity in helping Bikaner,
Bakliat Singh invaded Merta and wiested it from Jodhpur. Maharaja
Zorawar Singh was now assured of Bakhat Singh s help, who invaded
Jodhpur in order to compel the latter to come to terms with Bikaner. A
contingent of 8000 men under Bakhtawar Singh Mehta was sent from
Bikaner to assist Bakhat Singh for the purpose. Perturbed by these
developments the Jodhpur ruler Abhay Singh came to terms with Bakhat
Singh who on certain terms of compensation, agreed to withdraw. Bakhat
Singh sent back the Bikaner contingent with all honour.

Another important event during the reign was the capture of
Bhatner which seems to have changed hands very frequently and
which was held at this time by the Johiyas. Bhim Singh, Thakur of
Mahajan, obtained permission to wrest it from them. This task was
successfully accomplished by him in 1740 both by deceit and force of
arms and besides the fort, he also got a huge treasure. He. evidently
wished to appropriate both the fort and the treasure, so the ruler of
Bikaner sent a force against him under Hasan Khan Bhatti who invested
the fort, and as all the public bad turned against the Thakur he was
easily driven out.

' Abhay Singh the ruler of Jodhpur had felt greatly mortified at
his failure to conquer Bikaner as stated above. Seizing the 'opportunity
of allying himself with the disaffected Thakurs, Bhim Singh of Mahajan,
Sangram Singh of Churu and Lai Singh of Bhadra, he invaded Bikaner.
He reached Deshnoke with a very large force in 1740 a.d. Worshipping
at the temple of Karniji he wanted the Cbarans to address him as like
the Maharaja of Bikaner, but they refused. Then Jodhpur forces
marched against Bikaner and planted their tents in the vicinity of the
Laxminarayan temple near the old fort at Bikaner and opened several
fronts around the city. The city was thrown open for plunder and
property about a lac was looted. The fort remained encircled creating
a stalemate. Help was sought secretly from Bakhat Singh of Nagaur
by Zorawar Singh and through him from the Jaipur ruler. Abhay Singh
had to raise the seige and he hurried off to look after his own territory
because at the urgent request of Zorawar Singh, Jodhpur had been
invaded by Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur, who marched with his large
force. Abhay Singh, wanted the Maharana of- Udaipur to intercede
between him and the Bikaner ruler but the plan did not materialise.
Consequently in hot haste, Maharaja Abhay Singh retreated from

H istory

Bikaner as Jai Singh of Jaipur had been advancing fast. In the end,
Abhay Singh was forced to pay twenty-one Jakhi of rupees (in cash and
kind) to Jaipur Maharaja, as peshkash.

Zorawar Singh’s last exploit was wresting of Hisar from Imperial
troops, which he acconaplished in collaboration with Rao Gujarmal of
Rewari. He died at Antippur on 15th May, 1746 a.d. after four days|
illnesl It was suspected that he had been poisoned.

Maharaja Gaj Singh

Zorawar Singh had died childless, and the claimants to the gadi
were his cousins Gaj Singh and Amar Singh, both sons of Anand Singh.
Eventually Gaj Singh^ was selected as ruler of Bikaner and was
enthroned^ in 1746 a.d., while the disappointed Amar Singh went to
Jodhpur where he associated himself with other mal-contents from
Bikaner. Maharaja Abhay Singh of Jodhpur was at Ajmer at that
time. Finding the situation favourable for his designs, he organised a
large force to invade Bikaner in association with Amar Singh and other
discontented sirdars. After harassing the people on the way, the army
encamped in the neighbourhood of Bikaner. The Bikaner troops had
anticipated such a move from Jodhpur and were ready to face them. No
decisive battle, however, was fought and the two armies stood facing
each other for months. ’ At length Jodhpur proposed a division of
Bikaner territory as the only way of terminating hostilities. This
proposal was curtly turned down by Gaj Singh saying^, “We will not
give up a needle’s width of territory, and tomorrow sword in hand, we
will further discuss the question of peace”. A fierce battle was fought
in which Gaj Singh himself played a valiant part and all his nobles,
fought bravely, resulting in the defeat of Jodhpur troops. This battle
took place in v.s. 1804 (1747 a.d.).

On hearing the defeat of his troops Maharaja Abhay Singh was
greatly enraged and sent another force which was repulsed at Didwana
by the Bikaner troops.

Maharaja Gaj Singh had to march to Sambhar with his troops
to aid Bakhat Singh (of Nagaur) who was engaged, again, in a struggle

1. Another nccount gives this sum as twenty lakh.

2 Powlett e/V., rp. and Erskine (o/?. ci’r., p, 323) mention Gaj Singh as
elder to Amar Singh; but Dr. G.H. Ojha (op. ctV., pp. 322-323 and 359) has
mentioned him as younger to Amar Singh.

3. Other sources give this dale as 1745 A.D,

4. Ojha, G.H., op.c//., p. 324.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers-t-Blkaner

with his brother Abhay Singh of Jodhpur, who had solicited help from
the Maralhas to oust him from his possession. Bakhat Singh received
Gaj Singh, with great honour. Before any action could take place
between the rival forces reconciliation was effected between the two
brothers by Malhar Rao Holkari, through the intervention of Maharaja
Ishwari Singh of Jaipur though it did not end their deep-seated antipathy
towards each other. Then Gaj Singh returned to Bikaner. In the
following year, Gaj Singh attacked the Bhatis of Bikampur and
subjugated it and peace was concluded. But as the terms of peace we:re
not honoured, the place was again invested and the Thakur was slain
and plhce occupied. But it was soon recovered by the Rawal of Jaisalmer
and amalgamated in his territory. During this period the Maharaja’s
father, Anand Singh, died.

When Gaj Singh was at Garabadesar, Bhim Singh, the dissatis-
fied Thakur of Mahajan was brought to do homage to Gaj Singh by
some other Thakurs of note. He was at once forgiven and the Maharaja
accepted a nazar of an elephant from him.

Maharaja Abhay Singh of Jodhpur died in 1749 and was
succeeded by his son, ^ Bam' Singh. Ram Singh could rule only for two
years,'Whcn his uncle, Bakhat’ Singh (of Nagaur) defeated him in a
sanguinary battle hear Merta in 1750 with the aid of Maharaja Gaj
Singh. Aftfer the death of Ishwari Singh the ruler of Jaipur, Ram Singh
was bereft of his'rriain ally and on ll'th Hovember, 1750, Gaj Singh and
Bakhat Singli at the instance of discontented sirdars of Jodhpur defeated
Jodhpur'forccs at Ludasar tank. Ram Singh counter-attacked 'them
at Sojat but was defeated. After staying for sometime at ’Jodhpur he
again ’ea'nie to Merta. Gaj Singh and Bakhat Singh having conic to
kn’oW of ibis at 'once attacked Jodhpur which for' four ’ pahars was this
time given to plunder; and those in charge of the fort surrendered
it to them. BakhafSingh occupied the Qadi of Jodhpur and Gaj Singh
to Bikaner. Soon afterwards ,he had again' to enter Jodhpur
territory to assist his ally against Ram Singh who had been able to secure
the support of the Marathas. The invading force, however, retreated
without fighting and Gaj Singh came home. ‘Bakhat Singh died in 1752
to the great grief of Gaj Singh who recognised at once Bijay Singh his
son as the successor of his ally, and rendered him all help. Soon after
his accession to Jodhpur Gadi Bijay Singh was faced with the danger

1. Dayaldas kl Khyat, Vol. It, pp. 71-72, quoted by G.H. Ojha, op. cit., on p. 327.

History

of an onslaught by combined forces of Marathas under Appa Sahib
Sindhia, and Ram Singh who was making every endeavour to cai’pture
Jodhpur. As usual the Nagaur Chief (now of Jodhpur also) would
lean heavily on his trusted ally the Maharaja of Bikaner, w'hom he
would not allow to go even though Hisar was overrun by his
foes. The armies of Bijay Singh and his allies were very much
outnumbered by those of their enemies. The two armies clashed at
Gangarada, and as a result of the first assault the invaders were pushed
back seven Kos to village Chorasan, where the main battle was fought.
Numbers prevailed over sheer bravery, and Gaj Singh, Bijay Singh and
their allies were defeated. Jodhpur and Nagaur were besieged simulta-
neously by Ram Singh and the Marathas. Bijay Singh solicited
intercession of the Rana of Udaipur, who sent Jet Singh
Chundawat of Salumbar for the purpose, but nothing came out of
these efforts except that during these negotiations Jai Appa Sindhia
was murdered by two Rajputs at the instance of Bijay Singh.
Exasperated at the foul murder of their chief the Marathas. attacked
the Rajput forces wherein Jet Singh was killed. Though Maharaja
Madho Singh of Jaipur had also sent a force to help Bikaner but this
was not allowed to proceed by the Marathas. When the siege continued
for 14 months, Bijay Singh left the fort and went towards Bikaner.
Gaj Singh showed him all respect and hospitality, and both he and his
host went to Jaipur to solicit aid from Madho Singh of Jaipur, who
played a double game, that is, tried to w'in over Gaj Singh on the side of
Ram Singh by an offer of 84 villages including Phalpdi which Ajit Singh
had snatched from Bikaner. The ruler of Bikaner was so steadfast in
his loyally to a friend in trouble that he spurned this offer with
contempt. When they felt no hope of getting any succour from Jaipur,
they returned and while at Reni they came to know that the Marathas
had agreed to raise the siege.

, In 1752, Gaj Singh went to Jaisalmer to marry the daughter of
Rawal Akhai liaj.

When the Maharaja was away from Bikaner in aid of Bakhat
Singh, disturbances arose in ' the realm, and Tara Singh, brother of
Gaj Singh was sent to Rcni to subdue LaJ Singh of Bhildra who had
taken to plundering. . Tara Singh was killed, but the Maharaja still
remained with Bakhat Singh even though Reni was occupied. A camel
corps, however, was at once sent off to Reni, but it made no impression.
Later Gaj Singh himself went to Reni in person and expelled the Bhadra
Chief without any difficulty.

Rajasthan ' District Gazetteers — Bikaner

In the year 1752 a,d. the paragana of Hisar,l being uncontroll-
able by Delhi, was assigned by Emperor Ahmad Shah to Gaj
Singh, on whose behalf it was occupied by Mehta Bakhtawar Singh
and who was soon sent to Delhi to aid the Emperor against the
rebellious wazir Mansoor Ali Khan. The emperor was pleased with
this timely help and granted a mansab to Gaj Singh of 7000 zat and
5000 horse in 1753 a.d. On this very occasion, his eldest son Gaj Singh
was granted a mansab of 4000 zat and 2000 horse and Mehta
Bakhtawar Singh was created a Rao with a mansab of 4000 zat and
1000 horse. Kliillats were also bestowed upon other Bikaner officers.

Gaj Singh was granted the privilege of coining money by
the Emperor Alamgir II, and the mint worked till the reign of Maharaja
Dungar Singh (1872-87) whereafter the Regency Council (1887-1898)
established by the British Government of India closed it during the
minority of Maharaja Ganga Singh (1887-1943). Instead, a new
silver coin, minted in the British mints in India was made current in
the State.

The year 1755-56 a.d. was known as the year of great famine in
the history of Bikaner. The ruler was in Jaipur but under his orders
adequate arrangements were made for mitigating the distress. Employ-
ment was offered to a number of persons when construction works
were started.

In v.s. 1828 (a.d. 1772 February) Gaj Singh visited the famous
temple of Nathdwara (in Udaipur district). While he was there, he
was requested by the Maharana of Mewar to settle the dispute between
Mewar and Jodhpur regarding the territory of Godwar, which the
Maharana thought was being illegally occupied by the Jodhpur force.
But no settlement however could be effected.

In v.s. 1830 (1773 a.d.) the Bhattis again revolted but
yielded when a force was sent against them and paid Rs. 40,000 with a
promise fo pay annual triDutc. The heir apparent Raj Singh, and a
certain disgruntled Thakurs of the State who were secretly encouraged
by the Diwan Rao Mehta Bakhtawar Singh, rose into rebellion. But
one by one, all the conspirators deserted the rebellious prince except
the Thakur of Churu, with whom he lived at Deshnoke, under
the sanctuary of Karniji for five years (1775-1780 a.d.). Then the

1. Ojha. G.H., o;?. c/7 , p. 334. According to A Descriptive List of Formans,
Manshurs <5 Nishans lop.dt., p. lOl) it was assigacd by Shah Alam.

History

49.

prince took shelter in Jodhpur where he was received cordially by
Bijay Singh the ruler of Jodhpur. At the request of Gaj Singh, Bijay
Singh advised the rebellious prince Raj Singh, to go to Bikaner along-
with a small contingent of Rajputs. Raj Singh reached Bikaner and was
although apparently accorded reception, was arrested by his brothers,,
at the instance of the Maharaja. The Jodhpur attendants threa-
tened to fight but in the meantime, they got instructions from Jodhpur
to abstain from doing so, as the father could do whatever he liked with,
his son. Then Maharaja also fell ill and sent for Raj Singh and sum-,
moning other State officials made over the reins of the throne to him,
formally. Raj Singh was also enjoined not to punish his brothers.
Gaj Singh died in 1787 A.D., and no Rani burnt herself on the pyre.
Tod writes,! “Raja Gaj had some celebrity from the number of his
offspring, having had sixty-one children, though all but six were the
‘sons of love’.”

Maharaja Raj Singh

Raj Singh ascended the gadi in the year 1787 after his father’s
death. It is said that because of his illness he could not shoulder the
bier of his father beyond the gate of the fort.'^J Due, to his illness he
left the affairs of the State in the hands of his minister. His health
began to deteriorate and feeling his end near, he recognised his brother
Surat Singh, who had not taken any part against him as his
successor or atleast guardian of his son Pratap Singh. There are
different versions as to the cause of Maharaja Raj Singh’s death. Tod3
says that he was given a dose of poison by his step-mother (the mother
of bis younger brother Surat Singh). It is worth mentioning that a
man, Sangram Singh Mandlawat^ burnt himself on his pyre.

Maharaja Pratap Singh

Pratap Singh was then' about six years old. He survived his
father but a short time, and though Khyat ascribes the death to small
poxJ>. there is little doubt that he was murdered by his uncle Surat Singh.'
According to Tod, the boy was an infant and about a year later was.
found strangled. It is said, that Surat Singh had done it with his own
hands,' he having failed to persuade the Mahajan Chieftain to do it

1. Tod, ap.dt., p. 1137. But Ojha {op.eU., p. 358) records 18 sons.

2.. Powlctt, o/j.ctf., p. 65.

3. Tod, op.cit., p. 1138.

4. Ojha, G.H., op.df., p. 364.

5. ihid.

6. Tod, op.a7., p.' 1139.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

MODERN PERIOD

Maharaja Surat Singh

Surat Singh, son of Gaj Singh, born in 1765 a.d., thus succee-
ded as Maharaja of Bikaner in 1787. In 1790-91 A.D. he exacted' Rs.
95,000 from the Thakur of Churu who was in revolt and Rs. 20,000
from the Bhatti Khan Bahadur of Rajpur. Bijay Singh, ruler of
Jodhpur, had received Surat Singh’s brother cordially when he had
sought asylum with him. Surat Singh now effected a reconciliation
with the ruler of Jodhpur.* In v.s. 1855 (1798 a.d.) an envoy came from
Jaipur to Bikaner State and friendly relations were'established between
the two States; A Bikaner official was also sent to pay coiriplimehts ’
to the Jaipur ruler and who settled some minor boundary disputes. In
v.s. 1856 (1799 a.d.) the Maharaja founded a new town, Snratgarh
(in Ganganagar district). The Bhattis of Bhatner then rose against the
State, thereupon the ruler sent a force of 2000 men to subdue them but
they were supported by Zabita Khan with 7000 men. Supplies and
reinforcements were obtained without loss of time and the Bhattis were
attacked again, and were defeated with great loss at Bigor.near Dabli,
where the ruler built a fort called Fatebgarh. George Thomas, the.Irish
military adventurer allied hiihself with the Bhattis and aided by some
Thakurs seized this fort. But later on, it was recovered by a sudden
assault led by Rawat Bahadur Singh arid others on behalf of the
Maharaja and the gairisori surrendered.

In v.s. 1858 (1801 A.D.) the State was engaged in a v^ar to
obtain a chain of forts in the desert on the Multan-Delhi route of
which the fort of Annpgarh was a link. One Khuda Bakhsha Daud-
putra who had been expelled from his estate (Mojgarh) byBahawal
Khan of Bahawalpur approached the Maharaja for aid. Accordingly a
large army was sent and several forts such as Balar (renamed Siogarh),
Phulra, Mirgarh, Maroth and Mojgarh were. captured by the forces of
Bikaner.

Mojgarh was then conferred upon Khuda Bakhsha. The army
proceeded thence to Bahawalpur. By this time, however, Khuda
Bakhsha had reconciled with;Bahawal. Khan who.agreed to leave him
in possession of half of his territory, and persuaded him to sever

1. Ojha, G.H. (op.cit., p. 365) on the authority otJodUpur-ki-Khyat explains in the
foot note that Surat Singh bad to pay three lakhs of rupees to Bijay Singh of
Jodhpur to win him over.

History

relations with the ‘land seizing Rathprs’. Khuda Bakhsha did so and
paid a sum of rupees two lakhs to the Bikaner force for faujkharch.

In y.s, 1859 (a.d. 1802 November) ,the fort of. Khangarh
which, was said to possess a hidden treasury was captured, it. is said,
through a stratagem by a Bikaner force under Rai Singh of Mainasar
and Ajit Singh of Sela but they could not find the treasure.

A force led by Amar Chand Surana was sent against the trouble-
some Bhattis in 1804 a.d. After a protracted siege, the fort of
Bhatrier was shrrendered to him by Zabita Khan, the Bhatti Chief. As
the fort was surrendered on Tuesday, a day sacred to God Hanumao,
the place was renamed as Hanumangarh.

In v.s. 1863 (A.D. 1807) Maharaja Surat Singh allied himself
with Maharaja Jagat Singh of Jaipur to support the claim.of Dhbnkal
Singh to, Jodhpur gadi against Man Singh. Though both the sides had
offered him (Surat Singh) the 84 villages ofPhalodi pargana, yet, he
preferred to side with Jaipur and. sent an army of 8000 men which
captured Phalodi. Surat Sjngh joined the main force of Jaipur with
his troops, at Palsana. The combined forcK encamped at lylithri.
Man Singh also with an army of 80,000 troops reached village Gingoli
to confront them. After fruitless negotiations for thirteen days a
clash took place near Kucharaan in which the Jodhpur forces were
routed and, Man Singh had to retreat tp his capital. The victorious
army pursued him, and after giving the city to plunder, the fort was
besieged. For seven monffis the fort was subjected to heavy bombard-
ment. Man Singh finding further resistance of no a.vail, sent his
principal sirdars, for negotiations. The negotiations failed as the
Jodhpur sirdars refused to place the State under Jaipur during the
minority of Dhonkal Singh. A suggestion was.made to Surat Singh
that if the Jodhpur sirdars were murdered there would be no hurdle
in the way of Dhonkal Singh to rule over Jodhpur. He, however,
bluntly refused to resort to such a mean conduct as he had already
promised and given a word for their safety. The siege was raised
without any ostensible reason though its immediate cause was perhaps
the illness of Maharaja Surat Singh which compelled him to leave the
scene though he kept his forces there. Both the armies returned to their
respective capitals when it became difficult to bear their e.xpcnses.

, In the meanwhile Man Singh seized the opportunity of winning
over Amir Khan Pinduri from Shekhawali. He, at the request of Man

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Singh, invested Nagaur and put to sword the rebellious sirdars of
that place.

In the following year Man Singh sent a force under Inder Raj
against Bikaner. Inder Raj was repulsed at Phalodi by the two Bikaner
officers deputed there. The Jodhpur forces were resisted and their pro-
gress checked.i But ultimately the Bikaner troops retreated in order with
their artillery and other material intact. The Jodhpur army followed
them and remained in Gajner for two months. Though small skirmishes
took place now and then, it created no effect. Inder Raj was replaced
by a new commander Kalyan Mai Lodha on his complaint that the
former was colluding with Bikaner. Lodha ordered his main force to
march on Bikaner without himself leading them. So no enthusiasm
was shown at his move. In the meanwhile Amarchand Surana^ came
to Gajner with 4000 horse and the two armies clashed. Jodhpur had
the worst of the day as their commander Kalyan Mai was captured,
though he was later released. He returned with ignominy to Jodhpur
and was replaced by Inder Raj again. The siege dragged on and both
sides seemed to have been fed up. Surat Singh started negotiations
resulting in a peace treaty under which he made over six forts to Jodhpur
and paid an indemnity of Rs. 300,000 or as some say two lacs.

It was while the Jodhpur army was half-heartedly besieging the
fort that Mr. Elphinstone passed through Bikaner on his way to Kabul,
The Maharaja treated him with great respect and requested for the
protection of the British Government, but this request could not be
granted as it was opposed to the policy then being followed by the
Britishers.3

Between a.d. 1809 and 1814 Surat Singh engaged himself in
punishing refractory chiefs. In these operations his minister, Amarchand,
look a prominent part. The last of these’ operations was the suppression
of the Thakur of Chum, who died when his town was under a siege.
Amar Chand was suitably awarded in rcbognition of his outstanding
services. He was, however, soon charged f6r intriguing with Amir Khan

t. Tod, however, mcmions that Bikaner army was defeated but Ojha's (op.el/;
p. 386) version is just contrary to it. . .

2. Ojha mentions that Inder Raj, expressing bis gratefulness to Surat Singb for
saving his life during the negotiations at Jodhpur earlier, intimated Mm (he vow

. taken by Kalyan Mai Lodha to capture Bikaner,

3. Erskinc, op.c//., p. 325.

History

against the State. “Though the charge was false, and Amar Chand
was really a devoted servant of his chief, and though the Kheiri Raja
interceded for him an^ he was ready to pay n 'fine of Rs. 3,00,000, his
enemies prevailed,- and he was put to death”.i

In v.s,; 16 /z KA.u. 1815) Thakur Prithvi Singh -of Churu and-
'other ousted nobels’ again, raised their heads, ravaged the country and
defied the State. Troops were sent from Bikaner to subdue them.'
Operations against them were in progress when Amir Khan invaded
Bikaner and advanced as far as Ghhapar, but soon went back. The
discontented Thakurs alongwith the Pindaris, however, continued
their raids and, many of them forcibly recaptured their estates. ^

These circumstances forced the Maharaja to ask for British aid
by sending a vakil, Ojha Kashi Nath to Delhi, who negotiated a treaty
with the British Resident, Mr. Charles Metcalf on 9th March, 1818.
It provided that Surat Singh and his successors were bound to act in!
“subordinateco-operation” and the 'British Government agreed to’
protect his territories and, on application, reduce his rebellious subjects
to obedience (Appendix I).' Shortly afterwards on the request of th6
ruler to suppress the refractory nobles of the State, the British troops
under the command of General Amold,^ entered Bikaner and captured
altogether twelve forts and made them over i:o the State. • Bhadra tahsil
remained occupied by the. British troops taken from .the Sikhs of
Patiala and was handed over to the State only when the expenses of the
expeditionary force were paid to them.

’ * j *> t ' ' ?

At this time the Bikaner State and the British Government- ex-
changed correspondence regarding the villages of Tibi which the Bikaner
State claimed as its own, as part of Bhatner. It also claimed forty
villages of the Beniwal pargana adjoining Bhadra. Later, Mn -Edward
Trevelyan was deputed by the British Government to settle' the dispute
and his decision on both the claims ofBikancr was unfavourable to the
State. In S. 1884 (1827. a.d.) when the Governor General Lord
Amherst came to Meerut a grand Durbar was held there and Mehta
Abir Chand Vakil of the Bikaner State was sent to the Durbar as
representative of the ruler and .a great Nazar from Bikaner was
presented and a Kbillat received. Surat Singh died in 1828 a.d. •

1. PowlcU, op. c/r., p, 69. '

2. But in his Gazctiffr of the Bikar.er State (p. 70) Powlett gives his name as
General Alncr.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Maharaja Ratan Singh

Ratan Singh, the eldest son of Maharaja Surat Singh succeeded
him in 1828, Soon after, he sent his troops to Jaisalmer as the Bhatis
from that State had carried off a number of camels belonging to the
Bikaner State and the forces of both the States indulged in stray
skirmishes As this action of the ruler was in violation of the treaty
signed by him with the British Government, the latter intervened and
through the mediation of the Maharana of Udaipur, the dispute was
settled. In 1830, some of the Thakurs began to give trouble to the
Maharaja who applied for British help to reduce them, but it was not
needed.

Inv,s. 1888 (1831 A,D,) the village of Alwana was renamed
Sardargarh after ruler’s son Sardar Singh and , a fort was built there.
That very year, the Emperor of Delhi, Akbar II sent a Khillat to the
Maharaja through one Jwalaprasad. Though Mughal Empire ,was
now a mere phantom the Maharaja continued to show respect for .the
emperor and received the Khillat^ consisting of hprses, nqgaras etc.
and the title of Narendra Sawai but according to the Admimstration
Report of the State (1893-94) the title was Narendra Shiromani.

During the next four or five years, dacoity became rampant in
the State especially on the border area. Some of the Thakurs were
actually conniving at it and adopted highway robbery as their
profession. The energies of the State were directed mostly towards
the suppression of the recalcitrant sirdars. A special force called the
Shekhawati Brigade was organised one part of which solely consisted
of Bidawats i.c., descendants of Bida, the brother of Bika the founder
of Bikaner State. The Bikaner State contributed Rs. 22,000 annually
towards its cost. As a result of the operations undertaken by this
brigade the situation improved and the Maharaja was able to exercise

more effeciive control over his chieftains.

r- - - . . ■

; In v.s. .1892 (1836 a.d.)' after erecting a memorial of his
father at^Devi Kund and repairing those of his ancestors, the Maharaja
set out on a pilgrimage to Gaya with 6000 followers. At Gaya, .the
Maharaja made his followers s\vear never to commits infanticide. In

1 .

2 .

Powlctt., np.cit., p. 72 and Ojha, op.cit., Pt. II, pp. 419-20.

This was an evil custom - prevalent nmonB the Rajputs who were compelled to
give a rich dowry at the time of the daughters’ marriages. Conscoucntly thev
were forced to bargain. Their indebtedness was oltcn very high. Hence in
°/r '".‘5’ ‘■<=i'C'’‘=‘hemselvcsfrom this state of affairs, they pieferred to kill their
iniaut daughters. Ojha, 431,

History

1840 the Maharana of Udaipur married the daughter of the Maharaja
of Bikaner; In V.S.. 1899 (1842 a.d.) a boundary dispute between
Lbhasana of Bikaner and Khiali of Jaipur was finally settled by Major
Forster; who set up boundary pillars. The dispute had caused great
trouble.

■ Ratan Singh supplied two hundred camels for the Kabul expedi-
tion for which he was thanked by the Governor-General of India, who
happened to be in Delhi at that time. The Maharaja assisted the
British- Government' in both the Sikh campaigns, receiving on the first
occasion two guns in recognition of the services of his contingent; In’
1844 the ruler agreed to a reduced scale of duties on goods in transit
through his -territory, viz,,' a rate of ' eight annas instead ofas-ihany'
rupees per camel Toad.

In -v.s. 1902 (1845 a.d.) a dispute, with Jodhpur regarding^
boundary near Sajangarh (in .Churu district) was settled. An investigation
into the Bahawalpur and Bikaner boundary dispute was undertaken, by
Captain Jackson and Cunningham. The outbreak of the Sikh War
interrupted the enquiry. However, a final decision. was arrived at in
1849 A.D. and the tri-junction of Bahawalpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer
was also determined.

Maharaja Ratan Singh died in 1851 a.d. During his rule, only
two years (1836 and 1837) were prosperous while two others (1834 and
1849) \vere of acute farhine, the rest being average ones. His reign
witnessed further strengthening of ties with the British as would be
indicated by their help in suppressing, the. recalcitrant Thak'urs and
the, prevalent disorders in the State. He on his part helped the British
in their hard-fought campaign against the Sikhs.

Mahamja Sardar Singh

Saidar Singh, born in 1818, became the ruler of Bikaner in 1851.
He found his State burdened with a heavy debt of about- Rs. lacs,
caused partly by the necessity of maintaining a large array in order to
subdue the turbulent nobles and protect the frontiers from Bahawalpur,
Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Shekhawati from robbers and dacoits, and
partly by Jong drawn scarcity as witnessed because in the long rule of
his father, there were only two years of plenty.

The reign of Maharaja Sardar Singh, however, is known for a ,
number of reforms. The insolvency procedure was made more strict as

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner.

the Mahajans took money from the poor, people as deposits, and then
declared themselves insolvent. Nov/ unless the indigenous banker could,
clear of his debts, he was not permitted to leave his place of residence,
to use coloured Parcha or to give any feast in connection with
mourning rituals. The Maharaja checked the tendency to extravagance,
on occasions of marriage and mourning. He issued a proclamation
prohibiting sati as desired by the Governor-General Lord William
Bentinck.

It was during his reign that the uprising ,of 1857 took place and,
the Maharaja, though pre-occupied with his own difBculties, yet in,
order to discharge his obligations under the treaty ,of 1818 “of treating
the enemies of the British Government as his own”, marched with his
troops to the northern border of the State, and joined ,the British,
forces in the Punjab where Sirsa, Hisar and Hansi had fallen to the
rebels. He was perhaps the only prince among the rulers of Rajputana
who personally led his forces consisting of regular and well disciplined
infantry, cavalry and a large auxiliary camel force. Sardar Sirigh had'
rendered good services by sheltering Europeans ahd co-operating with
the British against the rebels of Hansi and' Hisar.and, as a reward on’
the recommendation of Brigadier-General G. S. P. Lawrence, received'
in 1861 a grant of the Tibi tract, consisting of 41 villages of Sirsa''
District in the Punjab, while the privilege of adoption was guaranteed
to him and his successors in the following year (Appendix II & HI). His
services to the British during the uprising were praised by Her Majesty
Queen Victoria herself.

t . « . 1

Ih'May 1868 the headquarters of the Assistant to the Governor-'
General’s^Agent were located at Sojangarh (now in Churu district), near
the tri-junction of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Bikaner. The immediate object
of his appointment was to check dacoity, which was very rife on the
borders of those States, but he was also entrusted with the political
charge of Bikaner, The first officer who occupied this post was Captain
Powlett. H4 however, failed to bring about any improvement in the
administration. At the end of 1870 he was relieved by Captain
Burton.

Shortly after Powlett had taken charge of his office many
Thakurs presented a complaint against the . State. Their main
grievances were : (i) the seizure of some of their villages, (ii) the
exactions levied ' from them under the name of nazrana, and (iii) the

History

direct collection from their villages of certain miscellaneous cesses. An
enquiry was held by Powlett and in 1870 a decision was taken (a) that
all villages which formed part of estates held under valid grants at the
time of ■ Sardar Singh’s succession, but which had been subsequently
resumed, were to be restored, while the Maharaja was to be at liberty
to deal as he liked with his own grants; and (b) that rekh or cash
payment made by the Thakurs in commutation of services should be
fixed at Rs. 200 per horseman annually for a period of ten years, after
which the amount was to be reconsidered by a panchayat. This sum
of Rs. 200 was to include everything except nazrana or fee on succession
to an estate. This decision was accepted by all the Jagirdars except
that of Mahajan, who left Bikaner and went to Ladnu in Marwar.

Other important events of Sardar Singh’s reign were the Extradi-
tion Treaty of 1869 (subsequently modified in 1887) given in Appendices
ly & V; the abolition of the privilege of sanctuary for crime in 1870,
and the establishment of an Administrative Council and regular civil,
criminal and revenue courts at Bikanertityi

ft f 'if.' —

Sardar Singh ruled fd^lfwentvyears*' and ‘during this period,
there'were no less than q^feen^changesr In' the fricumbents of the
ministry; some of whom h'eVd •oiicp-' only days'^ This was so

because of their inability t6\corniilj^with the demands "for money made
by the Maharaja. From 185Vi863 and agarn',.Tor^aashort time in 1865,
the administration was carried'taB—.with'^ ability , and integrity, by
Ram Lai Dwarkani, but as usually m such cases, his enemies prevailed
against him and he was removed on both the occasions. His
successors held olfice for a short time and roost of them concerned
themselves with only filling their pockets as fast as they could. The
affairs of the State were heading towards utmost confusion and large
debt was incurred. The exactions of the ruler in his anxiety to increase
the revenue gave rise to much discontentnient. An outsider, Wilayat
Hussain, who was a magistrate in the British dominions was made the
Dewan but he was faced with several famines in the State. When lie
failed to meet the financial needs of the State his services were
terminated. Pandit Manphool was made the Dewan in 1869. He tried
to tone up the administration with the help of the British officers but
could not cut much ice under the circumstances.

Sardar Singh died suddenly on the 16th May 1872, without any
issue and without deciding the question of his succession. There were

Rajasthan District Ga^.etteers— Bikaner

two aspirants in the near cognate relations, Dungar Singh and Jaswant
Singh, and ultimately the British Government approved Dungar
Singh as the rightful successor and heir to the late Itdaharaja.

Maharaja Dnngar Singh

Dungar Singh, a descendant of Chhatar Singh, one of Maharaja
Surat Singh’s brothers, was born in 1854. He ascepded the gadi in
1872. As he was only eighteen years of age at that time, the
State continued to be managed by a council hea^ied by Captain
Burton. A few months earlier Captain Bradford pad been deputed
especially to visit and report on Bikaner. He had recommended a
council for administration. Captain Burton was now appointed president
of this council. On attaining majority, Dungar SiPgh was invested
with full powers by the Agent to the Governor-Generai io s magnificent
Durbar on 22nd January, 1873.

Maladministration and the discontent of the Thakurs had not,
however, ceased. In 1883, an attempt to raise the was opposed
by the nobles who rose in open rebellion against the Maharaja. One
British Officer .was deputed to enquire into and effect a settlement of
their differences. The Thakurs, how'ever, refused to come to any
amicable settlement and it was not until a small British force, from
Nasirabad had marched a considerable distance towards Bikaner, that
the majority of them surrendered to the Political AgePt unconditionally.
The Bidawats still held together but their leaders eventually gave in,
and their forts were dismantled. A Political Agent was permanently
located at Bikaner later in 1884, and the differences between
the Chief and his nobles were gradually adjusted.

During this Maharaja’s reign, the topographical survey of the
State was carried out between 1875 and 1880; an agreement with the
British Government in India was made in 1879 regarding the local
manufacture of salt etc. The Maharaja supplied caiPels for the Kabul
expedition in 1879. The enumeration of population was done in 1881.
The summary settlement of the Khalsa villages was completed by P.J.
Fagan in 1884-85. Dispensaries, post offices and schools at various
places were established.

During his reign of 15 years, the State revenue was almost
trebled. When he came to the gadi, the revenue of thC State was Rs. 5.32
lacs, but when he died (1887) the revenue had risen to over 16 lacs
of rupees.

History

Dungar Singh was the first ruler who tried to modernise Bikaner.
He was very eager to extend to his people, the benefit's of canal
irrigation and railway communication. A proposal for a broadga'uge
railway connecting Sindh with Delhi via Jaisalmer and Bikaner was
actually considered. In 1886, he installed electric power in Bikaner
when the use of electricity was not very common in India, and scarcely
had been introdnced in any other State. This will show that Maharaja
Ganga Singh, his successor, was correct in paying him tribute in these
words,- “His high sense of duty, his genuine sympathy arid solicitude
for his people, and his sagacity arid perspicacity laid the foundations
for those developments of which we are today gathering the fruits”.
The Maharaja was also a great builder and Sohan Burj^ Sunehri Burj,
Chini Brirj, Ganpati Niwas, Sardar Niwas and many temples still bear
an eloquent testimony to his love of construction of buildings.

The Maharaja died without any issue on 19th August, 1887,
having adopted his younger brother Ganga Singh, shortly before his
death.

Maharaja Ganga Singh

Ganga Singh who was born in 1880, was formally installed
on the gadi on 31st August, 1887, after- bis adoption had been
confirmed by the British Government. He had studied at the Mayo
College, Ajmer, from 1889 to 1894- and was invested with full powers
on 16th December 1898.

During his minority, the' State was administered by a council
presided over by the Political Agent, arid inany everits of iiripbrtance
occurred in these eleven years. Among them may be rrientibried (i) the
toristruction of the railway from'lhe Jodhpur border to Bikaner city
(1889-91) and its extc'nsibn to" Dulmera, completed by 1898; (ii) the
raising of a camel corps as part of Bikaner forces (1889-93); (iii) the
establishment of a regular Public Works Department in 1891; (iv) relief
during tlie' famines of 1891-92, and 1896-97; (v) the conversion of the
local currency (1893-94), vide appendix VI; (vi) the introduction of the
land revenue settlement (1894-95); (vii) the discovery of a coal mine at
Palana in 1896; (viii) the construction of the Ghaggar canals (1896-97);
and (ix) a sound husbandry of the State’s resources.

Within a year of the Maharaja’s attaining full powers, the State
was visited by one of the severest faming in which tbe Maharaja
personally look the most active' part in organising relief operations and

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

in making them a complete success. For the indefatigable energy
and skill, with which he conducted them and for his personal
activity he was awarded the Kaisar-i-Hind medal of the fir§t class, in
1900. In June 1900, he was created an honorary Major in the
Indian Army, and in August of the same year he went to China in
command of his Imperial Service Regiment, receiving on his return the
China medal and the K.C.I.E. In 1902 he visited England to attend
the coronation of King Edward VII and was honoured with the
appointment of honorary A.D.C. to the Prince of Wales, In 1903-04
his Camel Corps distinguished itself in Somaliland. In June 1904,
he received the K.C.S.I., in January 1907 the G.C.I.E. and in December
1911 the G.C.S.I. He rendered active military service in the first
World War in France and Egypt and was honoured with medals and
other distinctions. In 1917 he took part as a representative of the
Ruling Princes of India at the sessions of the Imperial War Cabinet
and Conference held in England. In 1918-19, he took part in the
Peace Conference where he was one of the signatories to the Treaty of
Versailles,

At the invitation of the Viceroy the Maharaja represented the
Ruling Princes of India at the Assembly of the League of Nations held
at Geneva in September 1924.- He was honoured as a Freeman of
the Cities of London, Edinburg, Manchester and Bristol. An Honorary
degree of LL.D. was conferred on him by the University of Cambridge,
Edinburgh and Banaras. He was also invited by the University of Oxford
to receive its D.C.L, degree, but was unable to do so in person owing to
his other pressing engagements. He was a Chancellor of the Banaras
Hindu University, After the inauguration of the Chamber of Princes
in February 1921, he was elected the first Chancellor of the Chamber
and remained as such for some years. He was also a prominent member
of the Indian Round Table Conferences held in London, in 1930 and
1931. In September, 1939, he placed his personal services and the
entire resources of the State at the command of the British Indian
Government in the Second World War. He went on active service to
the Middle East Front in October 1941.

In the beginning of his reign, in 1905 the Maharaja had come
in conflict with some of his turbulent Thakurs. Some were harbouring
thieves, others resorting to pillage and plunder of their neighbours,
some had sought to set at naught the authority of the State by exacting
unlawful imposts on the peaceful population and encroaching on the

History

lands of the State. These elements wallowed in the belief that the
relations between the Maharaja and the Political Agent were strained,
and that it was an opportune time to conspire against him. They were
led to assume that if sufficient strength could be mustered the Political
Agent would unhesitatingly intervene, and that the intervention would
be in their favour. It is said that rich merchants and leaders of some
religious sects were also asked to join. The Maharaja’s warning to
the Jagirdars to abstain from disloyal activities had no effect. He
thereafter instituted a summaryi enquiry into the activities of some of
them. They also drew up a list of 36 complaints, which were enquired
into. Most of the small and inconsequential rebellious sirdars were
pardoned but their leaders were tried for their seditious activities by a
Tribunal consisting of Maharaj Bhairun Singh and two A grade
sirdars etc, The tribunal sat for one month and twenty-three days. The
report of the tribunal mentioned that the sirdars wanted “to create
a serious disturbance by making other Sardars and subjects hostile to
the State by whatever means possible,” and “the Commission has no
hesitation in saying that the charge of sedition is clearly proved
against the Sardars.”^ The Maharaja decided to confiscate only half
of the estate of the Thakur of Ajitpura and a village each from estates
of Bidusar and Gopalpura. The offending nobles, then, approached
the Political Agent who turned deaf ears to them. The Agent to the
Governor General was also satisfied with the action taken by the
Maharaja, The Viceroy also upheld the Maharrya’s decision.

Maharaja Ganga Singh’s long rule of 56 years witnessed the
emergence of Bikaner State from a small petty principality into one of
the premier princely States of India. The present Bikaner Division
owes its prosperity, entirely to his efforts. He started first by inaugura-
ting reforms in the old system of administration. The office of the
Devvan Was abolished in 1902 and proper Secretariat system was created.
This enabled the ruler to guide the administrative machinery personally,
and thanks to his superabundance of energy, he was able to do il so
well in spite of his pre-occupations in other fields of activities briefly
mentioned above. He established the Bikaner Representative Assembly
in 1913 consisting of 35 members. In September 1917 it was named as
Legislative Assembly with a membership of 45 and was invested with
the powers of legislation, deliberation and interpellation on the model

J . Ranikknr, K.M., IJis Highness the Maharaja of Btkaner, 1937, p. 78-79.

2. ibht.p 84

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

of the Central Assembly in British India constituted under the Motley
Minto Reforms, with special safeguards in the hands of the riiler. The
laws passed by this assembly covered a wide field. He also established
District Boards and made improvement in the Local Self-Government
institutions. The Police Department was reorganised. In order to
improve the revenue administration of the State he tried to settle the
land revenue on a permanent basis, and a British officer was engaged
for the purpose. Measures were taken to improve and increase the rabi
cultivation in those parts of the State which’ were well suited for it.
Many schools were opened and a modern hospital fully equipped and
manned by renowned surgeons and physicians chosen with care, was
set-up.

A benevolent and an enlightened ruler of the calibre of Maharaja
Ganga Singh was naturally interested'in irrigation as a' means of pros-
perity in the arid tract on the north-west of the State. With this end
in view he approached the British Government in India with the scheme
of digging a canal to bring water from the river Sutlej. It was on the
4th September 1920, fifteen years after the scheme had been accepted in
principle, that the momentous agreement' was signed' between the
Punjab, Bahawalpur and Bikaner to give' a- practical shape to the
project. The work- of construction of loop-line, 157 miles in length
was completed alongwith the establishment- of schools, mandis, hospitals
and police stations, by the autumn of 1927. On 26th October of the
same year. Lord Irwin; the thcn Viceroy,- came to open the canal which
perpetuates the name of the Maharaja. The Gang Canal, which takes
the^place of pride amongst a number of ameliorative measures initiated
by tile Maharaja for promoting the well-being. of liis subjects, converted
^ very, big area of the State from desert into the lush green
ahd fertile fields. More than 500 new villages have come into existence
since the opening of the Canal and the region vies with any other
in India in agricultural prosperity.

Another important achievement of the Maharaja was the
extension of railway lines in the State, thus providing a net work of
modern means of communication. The total length of the railway
tracks in 1898 was about 136 km. This had increased to 1413 K-m.
in 1943 when the Maharaja died. He also established a High Court of
Judicature and introduced separation of the Judiciary from the executive
at the top. '

History

In, his reign, Hindi v/as reintroduced as the State language
(Which was to replace Urdu introduced as the official language by the
Council of Regency during the minority of the Maharaja. The Govern-
ment High School' in Bikaner city was upgraded to a College and the
post of Director of Education was created. The Maharaja established
a Zenana, Hospital and a number of dispensaries at various places. He
built-up a sound financial infrastructure of the State exploiting to the
full, all sources of income.

The Maharaja celebrated the Silver Jubilee (1912) and the
.Golden. Jubilee (1937) of his reign. He was a devoted father, a fine
sportsman, a master of the art of shooting-having bagged no less than
.160 tigers. He had a special taste for architecture, which was reflected
in the many beautiful buildings and fine roads and parks to be seen in
and around Bikaner. It was his fidelity to old friends which impelled
him to gather them round in Bikaner on every important occasion.

Besides the Viceroys who visited this State, many political officers
of the Government of India, and other friends froih European countries
enjoyed his lavish and luxurious hospitality at Bikaner. On the
occasioii of the Versailles Peace Conference the Maharaja had invited
M. Clemenceau to visit Bikaner. This famous statesman of France
while, visiting India on his return tour from the Far East in 1922, also
came to Bikaner.

Ganga Singh died in 1943 at the age of 63 years.

Maharaja Sadni Singh

Ganga Singh was succeeded by his son Sadul Singh. Even at an
age of sixteen as a prince, he was given opportunity of gaining insight
into the administration of the State departments under different miriisters
by his sagacious father. In 1918, he had been to Europe with him when
he went to attend the Versailles Peace Conference. Later in 1920 bevvas
appointed as Chief Minister and President of the Council which office
he occupied with distinction up to 1925, when he resigned. Thus he had
acquired practical training in and experience of administration when he
became the ruler.

Soon after his accession, he • abolished the traditional and
customary capital levies on Neota (on the occasion of a wedding in the
Ruling Family) and Takht . Nashim ki Bhack (on the occasion of
accession of the ruler). At that time political developments v,'ere fast

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

taking shape in the country. The Cripps Mission had failed but new
proposals were afoot to meet the demands for Independence. As a
result of the proposals of Cabinet Mission, the British had agreed to
withdraw from India, and an interim Government was to be set up
under the leadership of the late Pt. Jawahar Lai Nehru. A constituent
asssembly was to be summoned to draw up a t onstitution for free
India, The States were also invited to send their representatives to this
constituent assembly and K.M. Panikkar who was then the Prime
Minister of Bikaner State, participated in its deliberations as its
representative.

During this period, some steps were taken by the Maharaja to
meet the demands of the Prajamandal for establishment of responsible
Government in the State. The membership of the Legislative Assembly
was raised to 51, of which 29 were to be elected members and the rest,
nominated.

The Maharaja also declared that a Constitution Act would be
promulgated providing for the establishment of full Responsible
Government in the State. Two committees were appointed-one as the
Constitution Cojnmittee and the other as Franchise and Constituencies
Committee-which were directed to submit their reports before March 1,
1947. The scheme envisaged establishment of a responsible Government
not later than November, 1947. A political conference was held in
Raisinghnagar in June-July 1946. Some political disturbances,
however, occurred in the State, and a few minor accidents were also
reported from the capital in early July, 1946. However, a new Govern-
ment, representing the people, the nobles and other interests, was
1 constituted in 1947. This government, however, could not make such
head way, and in the fluid situation that bad developed, the Maharaja
continued to rule till the end of March 1949 when the State merged
(30.3.1949) into the United State of Greater Rajasthan.

Political Awakening in Bikaner

The seeds of political life in Bikaner had been sown by Maharaja
Ganga Singh when he created a Representative Assembly as early as
1913, it was later re-named as Legislative Assembly with an initial
membership of 45 members, both nominated and elected, and it was
invested with the powers, like the Legislative Assembly at Delhi, of
legislation, deliberation and interpellation with special safeguards
reserved for the ruler. With the passage of lime, and as a result of

History

more liberal political institutions having been established in British
India, the limited functions of the Assembly could not meet the aspira-
tions of the freedom loving people of the State. After the emergence of
Mahatma Gandhi on the political scene of India, his Satyagrah
movement and call for wearing Kbadi unleashed a political springtide,
which besides enveloping the British provinces also spread in the
princely States. In 1921, some of the students at Bikaner wished to
attend the function organised for the reception given in the honour of
Prince of Wales wearing Gandhi caps. They were of course not allowed
to do so. This was, however, a clear indication of the way the political
wind was blowing in the State.

The political awakening found its first institutional expression
in the establishment of a society known as Sadvidya Pracbarini Sabha
with the sole aim of explaining to people the reactionary and undemo-
cratic policies followed by the State. This Sadvidya (right education)
was imparted by presenting such stage plays and other recreational
activities as would enlighten the audience about the evil effects of
government policies on the people of the State. This was the first
symbol of an eloquent but directly silent protest against the autocratic
rule. The society later took upon its shoulders the responsibility of
popularising Swadeshi movement in the State.

The then Bikaner State took great care in not allowing any of
the political workers of either the British provinces, or of the
neighbouring or other princely States, to enter its territory. One of
them, however, succeeded in entering the State. He worked for 9 days
among the Harijans, and enrolled some members of the Indian National
Congress. He was, however, apprehended at the Railway Station and
externed from the State. Around 1927-28 a prominent vakil of Bikaner
invited one of the prominent poHp'cal leaders of Sikar and the Treasurer
of the AH India Congress Committee to preside over the annual function
of the Ratangarh Brahmacharyashram but the authorities did not permit
his entry in the State.

In the year 1930-31, publication of a pamphlcti depicting
adversely the financial conditions of the newly started Bikaner Stale
Savings Bank created a flutter in the official dove-cots of Bikaner.
Another pamphlet showing in lurid lights the state of affairs in Bikaner

1. Bisvi'as, C., Slkar.cr~thc land of the ^farwaris, p. SS.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

was circulated by State Peoples Conference in London among the
members of the British Parliament. Maharaja Ganga Singh, who was
in London to attend the Round Table Conference and who was very
much upset at these publications, had to expedite his return to his
State. After his arrival persons, suspected to be the authors of the
pamphlets, were arrested.^ In 1932, an Act, known as Public Safety Act
was passed. It proscribed any agitation among labourers, prohibited
the entry of any book or newspaper containing matter liable to create
dis-affection against the ruler or his Government, and made it
obligatory to apply for permission to hold any public meeting. The
District Magistrate was empowered to declare any meeting illegal if it
contravened any of the provisions of the said Act.

Bikaner Conspiracy Case (1932)

Several articles criticising the Bikaner Administration for taking
such stringent measures to curb political agitation had appeared in
periodicals like the Riyasat and Princely India published from Delhi. A
meeting was held at Churu in January, 1932 where speeches vehemently
criticising the State Administration for its repressive policies were deli-
vered.Thereafter some persons were arrested tobe prosecuted for sedition.
When the trial began, a meeting^ consisting of prominent persons from
Rajasthan living in Bombay was helds on 23rd September 1933. It was
decided to form Bikaner Political Case Committee with the object of
conducting a wide spread campaign in British India against the prosecu-
tion, ill treatment and denial of justice to political workers in Bikaner.
Bikaner Day was organised on 17th December, 1933 at many places to
protest against these prosecutions. Pandit Jai Narain Vyas, an eminent
political worker of Rajasthan set up a defence committee for this
purpose and great publicity was given to the proceedings of the case
through press and platform. While in Bombay, the ruler called some
influential persons to apprise them of .the situation, but the trial conti-
nued and judgement was delivered in January, 1934, and the accused
were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from six months to
three years.

1. Biswas, C., op.clt., p. 88.

2. Panikkar, K.M., op.clt., pp. 353-56.

3. File No. 60 of 1933, State Archives at Bikaner, It is in the form of a cutting
from news papers. The news was published in the paper TJie National Call dated
27.8.1933. Ahoscc Swami Gopaldasjt ka Vyakatllva avam Kratitva, ttagar Shri
Churu, p. 226.

History

In 1935, some cntliusiastic workers of Bikaner residing in
Calcutta set up there an organisation known as Bikaner Rajya Praja
Mandat. In the following year Praja Mandat was established in Bikaner
itselfi but it could not pursue its activities due to the strict attitude
adopted by the State authorities to curb them. In 1942, another band
of workers made an attempt to start Praja Parishad It was also
smothered to lifelessness on the 7th day of its birth under the provisions
of Public Safety Act.^ One of the workers was exiled from the State
and others were imprisoned. One Akhil Bharatiya Charan ShS/jo running
a Ktiadi Bhandar, was closed by the orders of the State and its workers
were expelled from the State.^

After Maharaja Sadul Singh’s accession to the throne, he pursued
a less repressive policy and some political workers were released from
jail. The new Maharaja visualised the political trends in the country
and attempted to introduce some reforms in the administrative system.
Changes were also made in his personnels occupying the key- positions in
the State Administration, though surprisingly enough, even collection
for Kasturba memorial fund in 1944 was prohibited upon and the
subscribers were warned.^

In the Jagir villages, the condition of the farmers was becoming
intolerable. The jagirdars practised all kinds of tyrannies over them.
Tlw peasants tried to approach the Maharaja of Bikaner for redress of
their grievances but in vain. They had, therefore, to approach the
Praja Parishad to espouse their cause. It was for the first time, in the
history of Bikaner that kisans^ both men and women, paraded the
streets of thecity, flying tiicoloured flags and shouting national slogans.
Many persons xs’erc arrested on. 6th June, 1945, including the President
of Praja Parishad and many of its members. Tlic news of the arrest of
these people spread like wild fire throughout the Bikaner State, and as
a consequence, the ■kisans of DodhwakhuTa (Churu district) also joined
the agitation. Repressive measures whs'c also taken against tlic people
of Raisinglmagar (Ganganagar dislTict) tlw poSce resorted to

firing (1946) resulting in one dcath,^

1. Bi$\v2s,C:.,op.icjr.,p. SS.

Z, ibi^,

5. li-SvTBcr Jtc/ra 7«n 3iajni!ic Viktts Evoai JJaHwT, Rsm X'-a«i

<t, Biswas C., o.'j.’cir., P, -89,

5. a'iU., j>. sn. '

Rajasthan District Gazetteers—Blkaner

In the second half of the year 1946, a number of
organisations of political complexion such as Praja Sevak Sangh,
Muslim League, Jat Sahha had come into existence. The year 1946
thus ushered in a new era in the political life of Bikaner, by the
creation of a new political ferment. The Maharaja influenced by
the political developments taking place in British India, issued a pro-
clamation on 31st August, 1946, setting up a body for drafting a
constitution for introducing a responsible government in the State.
The constitution making body invited important individuals, insti-
tutions and organisations in the State, to give their suggestions for the
purpose. The Maharaja showed his willingness to send a representa-
tive to take part in the Constituent Assembly of India. In the mean-
time, Pandit Jawahar Lai Nehru, had formed the Interim Government
for the country and the British Government had declared their intention
to leave India,

Another important development took place in 1947 when the
Maharaja decided to set up a popular government consisting of the
members of the Praja Parishad alongwith equal number of members
from the nobility and other sections of the people. Thus a ministry
was formed with four of its members belonging to the Praja Parishad.
This ministry could not work successfully for a long period as it sought
to combine both feudal and popular elements.

In the meantime, the political developments in the country were
taking place rapidly. Sardar Patel’s policy of intergrating the princely
States to form a State of Rajasthan was beginning to take shape. The
Maharaja accordingly agreed to merge his State into the United
State of Greater Rajasthan, which was inaugurated on 30th March,
1949. The centuries old dynastic rule of the Rathors thus came to an
end. The genealogical table of the rulers of Bikaner State is given in
Appendix vii.

History

Appendix I

‘Treaty of Friendship and Alliance between the British
Government in India and Maharaja Surat Singh
of Bikaneer, dated 9th March, 1818’.

Treaty between the Honourable the English East India
Company and Maharajah Soorat Sing Bahadoor the Rajah of
Bikaneer, concluded by Mr. Charles Theophilus Metcalfe on the part
of the Honourarle Company, in virtue of full powers granted by His
Excellency the Most Noble the Marquis of Hastings, K.G.,
Governor-General &c., &c., and by Oujha Kashee Nautt, on the
part of Raj Rajheesur Maharajah Sroomun Sree Soorut Sing
Bahadoor, accordine to full powers given by the Rajah,-1818.

Article 1

There shall be perpetual friendship, alliance, and unity of
interests between the Honourable Company and Maharajah Soorut Sing
and his heirs and successors, and the friends and enemies of one party
shall be the friends and enemies of both parties.

Article 2

The British Government engages to protect the principality and
territory of Bikaneer.

Article 3

Maharajah Soorut Sing and his heirs and successors will act in
subordinate co-operation with the British Government and acknowledge
its supremacy, and will not have any connection with any other Chiefs
or States.

Article 4

The Maharajah and his heirs and successors will not enter into
negotiation with any Chief or State without the knowledge and sanction
of the British Government': but the usual amicable correspondence with
friends and relations shall continue.

Article 5

The Maharajah and his heirs and successors will not commit
aggressions on any one; if by accident any dispute arise with any one the
settlement of it shall be submitted to the arbitration and award of the
British Government.

Rajasthao I5istrict Gazetteers— Bikaner

Article 6

Whereas certain persons of the principality of Bikaneer have
adopted the evil courses of highway robbers and banditti, and have
plundered the property of many, to the great molestation of the peaceable
Subjects of both of the contracting parties, the Maharajah engages
to cause to be restored the property plundered from inhabitants of the
British territories upto this time, and for the future entirely to suppress
the robbers and plunderers in his principality. If the Maharajah be
hot able to effect their suppression assistance shall be afforded on his
application by the British Government, in which case the Maharajah
will pay all the expenses of force employed; or, in the event of his not
finding means to pay those expenses, he will in lieu cede parts of his
territory to the British Government, which, after the payment of those
expenses, shall be restored.

Article 7

‘The British Government, on the application of the Maharajah,
will reduce to subjection the tatikoors and other inhabitants of his
principality who have revolted and thrown oif his authority. In this
tase the Maharajah will pay all the expenses of the force employed; or,
in the event of not having the means, will, instead, cede parts of his
territory to the British Government, which shall be restored after the
payment of those expenses.

Article 8

The Maharajah of Bikaheer will furnish troops at the requisition
of the British Government, according to his means.

Article 9

The Maharajah and his heirs and successors shall be absolute
mlcrs of their country, and the British jurisdiction shall not be intro-
duced into that principality.

Article 10

As it is the wish and intention of the British Government that
the roads of Bikaneer and Bhutnecr be rendered passable and safe for
the transit of trade to and from the countries of Cabul and iChorasaun,
Ac., the Maharajah engages effectually to accomplish that object
Within his own dominions, so as that merchants shall pass with
protection and safety and meet With no impediment; and with respect
to custom duties the established rates shall not be exceeded.

History

Article U

This Treaty of eleven Articles having been concluded and signed
and sealed by Mr. Charles Theophilus Metcalfe and Oujha Kasfaee
Nautt, the ratihcations by His Excellency the Most Noble the
Governor-General and Raj Rajheesur Maharajah Sroomun SreeSoorat
Sing Bahadoor, shall be exchanged within twenty days from the
present date.

£)oiie <a1 Delhi, this '9th day of March, A,Df 1818.

C.T. Metcalfs
Oujha Kashee Nautt
Hastings.

This Trcaiyt was ratified by His Excellency the Governor-
General, in Camp near Patrassa Ghaut on the Gogra, on the 2lst of
March ISIS.

J. Adam

Secretary to tbs Governor-Generai

1, AhcJuscn, C.tJ., .rf Cc'Ucciw); of Trearies, Dogagetmtiis mid Sanads, Vol IH
(1952).pp.2SS-$a.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Appendix II

Translation! of a Sonnud granting certain villages to
Maharajah Sirdar Singh Bahadoor of Bikaneer,
dated 11th Aprill 861.

Whereas it appears from a report of the Governor-General’s
Agent in Rajpootana that during the rebellion Maharajah Sirdar Singh
Bahadoor of Bikaneer, with a feeling of loyalty and devotion to the
British Government came out in person, spent money, protected lives
of certain Europeans, and rendered other good services to government;
and whereas these circumstances being highly satisfactory to govern-
ment, the said Maharajah obtained thanks and aKbillutof distinction;
the government is now pleased to confer on him in perpetuity the
villages specified in a separate schedule*, situated in the district of Sirsa,
yielding an annual revenue of fourteen thousand two hundred and
ninety-one Rupees, and which are hereby incorporated with his former
territory, subject to the same conditions as are observed with respect
to the latter; the grant will take effect from 1st May 1861.

•Names of villages with their annual jumma granted to the Maharajah of
Bikaneer in reward for his services

No. Names of villages Annual jumma, Remarks

1861-62

Rs.

Saboora

300

Manuck Tcbcc

177

Kara Khara

490

Goodca Khara

406

Kampoora

137

Solawally

234

Muller Khara

451

Bascchur

500

Gihvalla

410

10,

Saharun .

350

11.

Koolchundc

250

Soorawally

948

13.

Chundoorwally

200

14.

Peer Kamreca

740

Ailchison, C.U.* A Collection of Treo
{mi), pp. 190-9K

This village has progressive jumma
rising to Rupees 590 in 1865-66.

Has progressive jumma rising to
Rupees 235 in 1865-66.

Eiigagements and Sanads, Vol. Ill,

History

No. -Names of villages Annual jumma. Remarks

1861-62

15.

Punneevvally oorf jugranee

207

16.

Kunnance

451

17.

Mugrance

534

18.

Masance

346

19.

Tebee Barajeka

889

20.

Rutta Khara

199

Has progressive jumma —

21.

Ralhee Khara

Rising to Rupees

235 in 1865-66

22.

Ki'shenpoora

120

-do.

300 in 1870-71

23.

Salairagur

-do.

130 in -do-

•24.

Gharoe

210

-do.

340 in 1865-66

25.

Silwalla Khurd

194

-do.

266 in -do-

26.

Bairwalla Kullan

280

27.

Silwalla Kullan

241

-do.

366 in -do-

■28.

Tulwara Kullan

757

29.

Jalalabad

176

-do.

276 in -do-

30,

Moharvvalla

482

-do-

554 in -do-

31.

Mascctawally

223

-do.

261 in -do--

32.

Ramsara

258

-do.

308 in -do-

33.

Dublec Khurd

394

454 in -do-

34.

Ramnugger

200

35.

Dublec Kullan

730

-do.

780 in -do-

36.

Mirzawally

351

-do.

423 in -do-

37.

Chaoowally

310

-do.

360 in -do-

38.

Bhooranpoora

174

-do.

225 in -do-

39.

Khairawally

181

-do.

231 in -do-

40.

Shcwdanpoora

473

41.

Khundanca

285

TOTAL RUPEES

14,291

Rajasthan District Gazettecrs-rBikancr

Appendix III

Adoption Sunnud^ granted to the Ruler of Bikaner-1862,

Her Majesty being desirous that the Governments of the several
Princes and Chiefs of India who now govern their own territories
should be perpetuated, and that the representation and dignity of their
Houses should be continued; I hereby, in fulfilment of this desire,
convey to you the assurance that, on failure of natural heirs, the
adoption by yourself and future Rulers of your State of a successor
according to Hindoo law and to the customs of your race will be
recognised and confirmed.

Be assured that nothing shall disturb the engagement thus made
to you, so long as your House is loyal to the Crown and faithful to
the conditions of the Treaties, Grants or Engagements which record
its obligations to the British Government.

Dated 11th March 1862

Canning.

1. Aitchision, C.U., /I Collecihn of Treaties, Engagements and Sanads, Vpl 111
(1932), pp. 35-36. '

History

Appendix IV

Extradition Treaty between the British Government and
His Highness Sirdar Sing, Maharajah of Bikaneer, his heirs and
successors, executed on the one part by Lieutenant-Colonel Richard
Harte Kbatinge, c.s.i. and v.c., Governor-General’s Agent for
the States of Raipootana, in virtue of the full powers vested in him
by His Excellency the Right Hon’ble Sir John Laird Mair Law-
rence Baronet, g.c.b., and g.c.s.l. Viceroy and Governor-
General of /INDIA, and on his own part by Maharajah Sirdar Sing
aforesaid, — 1869.

Article 1.

That any person, whether a British or Foreign subject, committ-
ing a heinous offence in British territory, and seeking shelter within the
limits of the Bikaneer State, shall be apprehended and delivered up by
the latter Government to the former on requisition in the usual manner.

Article 2.

That any person, being a subject of Bikaneer, committing a
heinous offence within the limits of the Bikaneer State, and seeking
asylum in British territory will be apprehended and delivered up by the
latter Government to the former on requisition in the usual manner.

Article 3.

That any person, otlier than a Bikaneer subject, committing a
heinous offence within the limits of the Bikaneer State, and seeking
asylum in British territory, will be apprehended, and the case investi-
gated by such Court as the British Government may direct. As a general
rule, such cases will be tried by the Court of the Political Officer in
whom the political supervision of the Bikaneer State may at the time be
vested.

Article 4.

That in no case shall either Government be bound to surrender
any person accused of a heinous offence, except on requisition duly
made by, or by the authority of, the Government within whose
territories the offence shall be charged to have been committed and also
upon such evidence of criminality as, according to the laws of the
country in which the person accused shall be found, would justify his
apprehension and sustain the charge if the offence had been there
committed.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Article 5.

That the following offences be deemed as coming within the

category of heinous offences :

1st — Murder

2nd— Attempt to murder

3rd— Culpable homicide
under aggravating
circumstances

4th — ^Thuggee

5th — Poisoning

6th — Rape

7th— Causing grievous hurt

10th— Dacoitee
11th— Robbery
12th— Burglary

13 th— Cattle-theft

14 th — Arson

15th— Forgery

16th— Counterfeiting coin
or uttering base coin

17th— Criminal breach of
trust

8th— Child-stealing 18th— Criminal misappro-

priation of property

9th — Selling females 19th — Abetting the above

offences

Article 6

The expense of any apprehension, detention, or surrender, made
in virtue of the foregoing stipulations, shall be borne and defrayed by
the Government malting the requisition.

Article 7

The above Treaty shall continue in force until cither of the high
contracting parties shall give notice to the other of its wish to
terminate it.

Article 8

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect any Treaty
now existing between the high contracting parties, except so far as any
Treaty may be repugnant thereto.

History

Pone at Bikaneer this third day of February in the year one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

Percy W. Powlext,
Asstt, Agent, Govr.-Genl,

Signature and seal of the
Maharajah of Bikaneer

R. H. Keatinge,
Govr.-Genl.’s Agent.

Mayo

This treaty! ^as ratified by His Excellency the Viceroy and
Governor-General of India at Simla on the 15th June 1869,

W. S, Seton-Karr,
Secy, to the Govt, of India,
Foreign Dept.

1. Aitchkoa, C.U„ A CcUcction of treaties, lir.safcments anj Sanads Vol. Ill (1932),
pp. 291-93.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Appendix V

Agreement supplementary to the Treaty of 1869 regarding
Extradition — 1887.

Whereas a Treaty relating to the extradition of offenders was
concluded on the 15th June 1869 between the British Government and
the Bikanir State; And whereas the procedure prescribed by the Treaty
for the extradition of offenders from British India to the Bikanir State
has been found by experience to be less simple and effective than
tbe'procedure prescribed by the law as to the extradition of offenders in
force in British India : It is hereby agreed between the British
Government and the Bikanir State that the provisions of the Treaty
prescribing a procedure for the extradition of offenders shall no longer
apply to cases of extradition from British India to the Bikanir State;
but that the procedure prescribed by the law as to the extradition of
offenders for the time being in force in British India shall be followed
in every such case.

Done at Bikanir this twenty-ninth day of July in the year one
thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven.

A. P. Thornton, Captain,

Offg. Political Agent, Bikanir.

Signature and Seal of Maharaja of Bikanir

Ddfperin,

Viceroy and Governor-General
of India.

This Agreementi was approved and confirmed by His Excellency
the Viceroy and Governor-General of India at Fort William on the
twenty-eighth day of March a.d. one thousand eight hundred and
eighty-eight.

H. M. Durand

Secretary to the Govt, of India,
Foreign Dept.

1. Aitdilson, C.U., /t Collection of Treaties, Ensasetnents and Sanads, Vol. Ill (1932)
pp, 295-9G.

History

Appendix VI

Agreement under the Native Coinage Act 1876, with the
Bikanir Darbar, 1893.

Articles of Agreement made this sixteenth day of February
1893 between the Government of India pn the one^ part and the
Bikanir Darbar on the other part : —

Whereas under the Native Coinage Act, IX of 1876 the Governor-
General in Council has power from time to time to declare by notifica-
tion in tlje Gazette of India that a tender of payment of money if made
in the coins, or the coins of any specified metal, made under the said
Act for any Native State, shall be a legal tender in Britisli India: And
whereas by section 4 of the said Act it is declared that such power
shall be exercisable only under certain conditions, amongst which is
the condition that the Native State for which such coins are coined
shall enter into agreements corresponding with the first three articles of
these presents ; And whereas by section 5 of the said Act any such
State is authorised to send to any mint in British India metal to be made
into coin under the same Act, and (subject as therein mentioned), the
Mint Master is required to receive such metal and convert it into coin:

And whereas the Bikaner State is a Native State within the
meaning of the said Act, and the Bikanir Darbar, pursuant to such
authority, has sent or will send to the Mint of Bombay silver to be
coined under the said Act into a maximum of Rupees ten lakhs or
thereabouts, and has requested the Government of India to exercise
the power hereinbefore recited in the case of the said coins, and the
Government of India have consented to exercise such power by issuing
the requisite -notification in the Gazette of India, on the execution by
the said Bikanir Darbar of this Agreement.

Now these presents witness, and it is hereby agreed between the
parties hereto as follows (that is to say) : —

Firstly — The Bikanir Darbar agrees to abstain during a term of
thirty years, from the date of the notification aforesaid, from coining
silver and copper in its own mint, and also undertakes that no coins
resembling coins for the time being a legal tender in British India,
shall, after the expiration of the said term, be struck under its
authority, or with its permission at any place within or without its
jurisdiction.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Secondly — The Bikanir Darbar also agrees that the law and
rules for the time being in force respecting the cutting and breaking of
coin of the Government of India reduced in weight by reasonable
wearing or otherwise, or counterfeit, or called in by proclamation,
shall apply to the coins made for the Bikanir State under this Act, and
that it will defray the cost of cutting and breaking them.

Thirdly — The Bikanir Darbar also agrees not to issue the said
coins below their nominal value, and not to allow any discount or other
advantage to any person in order to bring them into circulation.

Fourthly— The Bikanir Darbar agrees that if at any time the
Government of India call in its coinage in silver and copper, the
Darbar will, if so requested by the Government of India, call in at its
own expense all coins made for it under this Agreement.

In witness whereof Rai Bahadur Sodhi Hukm Singh, Thakur
Lai Singh, and Mahta Mangal Chand, Members- of the Council of
Regency, and C. S. Bayley, Indian Civil Service, Political Agent,
Bikanir on behalf of the Government of India, have set their hands
and seals the day and year Erst above written.

Sodhi Hukm Singh
Lal Singh

Lansdowne

Viceroy and Govr.-GcnI. of India.

Mahta Mangal Chand
Chas. S. Bayley,

Political Agent in Bikanir.

This agrcemcnti was ratified by His Excellency the Viceroy and
Governor-General of India at Fort William, on the third day of March
1893.

H. M. Durand,

Secretary to Government of India,
Foreign Department.

1 . AUclmon, C.U., op . cii ., pp. 298-99,

Appendix VII

Genealogy of the rulers of the Bikaner State

History

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Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

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CHAPTER III

PEOPLE

POPULATION

Total Population

The total population! of the district in 1961, according to the
Census figures, was 4,44,515. It was distributed among the various
administrative units as follows :

Unit

Population

Total

Males

Females

Bikaner district

4,44,515

2.32,699

2,11,816

Bikaner north Sub-division

3,05,748

1,60,217

1,45,531

Bikaner tahsil

2,51,781

1,31,888

1,19,893

Ltlnkaransar tahsil

53,967

28,329

25,638

Bikaner south Sub-division

1,38,767

72,482

66,285

Kolayat tahsil

47,998

25,710

22,288

Naukha tahsil

90,769

46,772

43,997

Growth of Population

The density of population in 1961 was 16 persons per sq. km. as
compared to 13 persons per sq. km. in 1951. The density of popula-
tion for Rajasthan as a whole, was 59 persons per sq. km. in 1 96 1 ,
and 47 persons per sq. km. in 1951.

The following table gives decade variation^ in population during
the last sixty years.

Year

Decade variation

Percentage decade variation

Bikaner

Rajasthan

1901-11

+ 16,313

-f 8.57

4- 6.70

1911-21

- 8,118

— 3.93

— 6.29

1921-31

-f 36.230

-f 18.24

4- 14.14

1931-41

-f- 80,536

-b 34.29

4- 18.01

1941-51

+ 27,67.^

4- 8.77

4- 15.20

1951-61

4- 1,01,424

4- 29.56

4- 26.20

1. T!i<‘ of India, 196!. Vol. XIV, R-.ijastiuTn, Part H-A, pp. 21-22.

2, ihiil,, p. 95.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

An analysis of this table will show that the population in the
area has registered a steady growth since 1921. In 1901 the popula-
tion of the district was a bare 1,90,457, comprising 99,407 males
and 91,050 females. During the preceding decade i.e., 1891-1901 it
had decreased by 29.7 per cent, as a consequence of the famines of
1891-92, 1896-97 and 1899-1900. They were responsible for more
than usual emigration and excessive mortality resulting mainly from
epidemics like cholera and malarial fever.i The loss was partially
made good in 1901-1911 when the population rose to 206,770. The
following decade 1911-1921 again witnessed a decline in the growth
rate with the result that the population of the district at the time of
1921 Census stood at 1,98,652. This decline was due to the visitation
of plague and influenza during that decade all over the country.
Thereafter, the population rapidly increased to 234,882 in 1931,
315,418 in 1941 ; 3,43,0912 in 1951 and 4,44,515 in 1961. The 1961
Census population figure of 444,515 represents an increase of 29.56
per cent over that of 1951. The corresponding increase in the popula-
tion of the State of Rajasthan was 26.20.

Sex Ratio

In this district, as elsewhere in Rajasthan, males outnumber
females. According to 192L Census, the number of females per 1000
males was 885. This increased to 890 in 1931 and fell to 863 in 1941
but again rose to 925 in 1951. In 1961, the females sex ratio for
Rajasthan as a whole, was 908 while that for this district was 910.
In urban areas of the district this ratio was 916, while in the rural
area, it was 906. The number of females (being 884 to 1000 males)
is lower than that of males in Bikaner city, but it is the other way
round in other towns of the district; the ratio being 1117, 1002, 1046,
1057 and 1006 females to 1000 males, in Gangashahr, Bhinasar,
Napasar, Deshnoke and Naukha Mandi respectively.^

Arc

As per 1951 Census report, infants aged upto four years
accounted for 13 percent, those aged 5 to 14,26.9 percent and
persons aged 15 to 34 accounted for 32 per cent; those aged 35 to 54,

1. ErsV.inc, K.D., R&jputana Gazetteer, The Weitcrn RujpmSna Stales Residency,
Bikaner, p. 331.

2. Adjnstca figures to the jurisdiction of 1961.

3 Census of India, Paper No. I of 1962, pp. 233-235,

People

formed 18.5 per cent of the population and thos^ aged 55 and over
formed 9.6 per cent.

Age-wise distribution of the population according to 1961
Census, is as follows :

Age-group

0-4
5-14
15-24
25-34
35-59

60 and above

Urban and Rural population

Till the year 1931 only Bikaner had been classified as a town.
The number rose to three and seven in 1941 and 1951 respectively.
In the 1961 Census the number fell to six due to the re-definition of a
towni by the code of Census Procedure, and accordingly Ltinkaransar
was left out of the category. The particulars of other towns are as •
follows :

Area

Population

Population 1961

Name of Town

Sq. miles

Sq. km.

Per sq.mile

Males

Females

Total

1. Bikaner

14.71

38.10

10,240

79,945

70,689

1,50,634

2. Gangashahar

4.58

11.86

2,335

5,052

5,644

10,696

3. Bhiniisar

3.78

9.79

1,440

2,718

2,724

5,442

4. Napasar

29.55

76.53

. 225

3,243

3,391

6,634

5, Deshnokc

33.61

87.05

205

3,344

3,536

6,880

6, Naukha Mandi 4.09

10.59

1.892

3,858

3,882

7,740

Percentage

16.7

27.8
17.7

14.6

17.6
5.6

1. Jn 1961 a town included :

(1) All areas which were administered by municipalities in 1951 and where
municipal administration continued to subsist. However, where municipal
administration did not exist, the following three factors were required to be
satisfied before any such areas were included in urban areas :

(a) Minimum population was 5000, (b) 3/4 of male adult population was
cnE.aRcd in non-agricmltural occupations, and (c) density of population was
approximately ICOO persq. mile.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

The population in towns in Bikaner district in 1901 was 53,075.
It rose to 55,826 in 1911 ; 69,410 in 1921 and 85,927 in 1931. The
total number of people living in towns increased to 136,801 ; 148,988
and 1,88,026 in 1941, 1951 and 1961 respectively.

The rural population of the district, according to 1961 Census,
is 256,489 (134,539 males and 121,950 females), accounting for 5.8 per
cent of the total population. The distribution of rural population
according to administrative units is as follows :

Tahsil

Urban

Rural

Total

Males

Females

Total

Males

Females

Bikaner

1,80,286

94,302

85,984

71,495

37,586

33,909

Lnnkaransar

—

53,967

28,329

25,638

Koluyat

—

47,998

25,710

22,288

Naukha

7,740

3,858

3,882

83,029

42,914

40,115

Total

1,88,026

98,160

89,866

2,56,489

1,34,439

1,21,950

In 1961, the urban population formed 42 per cent of the total,
but if Bikaner city is excluded, it is reduced to 8 per cent only. The
other towns are only over grown villages as the economy of the district
is overwhelmingly agricultural and pastoral. Scarcity of water and
lack of any large scale industrial and trading centres, which only
tempt large groups of people to them, are severe handicaps in the way
of the growth of large towns in the district. The rural population is
scattered over the desert and arid zone, clustering round wherever
water is available for agriculture on a small scale, and for meeting
the needs of human beings and domestic animals.

Emigration and Immigration

According to the 1951 Census, the total population of the
district was 330,329 persons (171,279 males and 159,050 females).
301,874 persons (158,163 males and 143,711 females) that is 91.4 per
cent, were born in the district itself while 6.2 per cent or 20,712 persons
(8,994 males and 11,718 females) were born in other districts of Rajas-
than, and only 0.9 per cent, that is 2,683 persons (1,463 males and 1,220
females) were born out side Rajasthfin but within Indi.a. Tliose born
in other countries of Asia numbered 5,060 (2,659 males and 2,401
females) and formed 1.5 per cent of the total population.

People

According to 1961 Census, those born in the district itself were
392,240 persons (209,845 males and 182,395 females) or 88.4 per cent
of the total population. Those born in other districts of Rajasthan
numbered 38,031 persons (14,858 males and 23,173 females) and
accounted for 8.6 per cent. 9,034 persons (4,980 males and 4,054
females) or two per cent, were born in other States in India and those
born in Asiatic countries beyond India formed one per cent and
numbered 4,679 persons (2,768 males and 1,911 females). Only three
(2 males and 1 female) persons were born in Africa and two persons
(2 males) were born in America. 526 persons (244 males and 282
females) were declared unclassified. A comparison of these figures in
1951 and 1961 Census reports indicates a definite trend towards greater
mobility of population.

The problem of emigration still remains largely of a semi-
permanent variety, and consists of those traders and their dependents
who arc indiscriminately known as Marwaris and play an important
role in commerce, banking and industry in India.

Displaced Persons

According to the Census of 1951, the number of displaced
persons in this district was 5,012 (2,634 males and 2,378 females). Only
two persons had immigrated from East Pakistan (one in 1947 and the
other in 1949), and the remaining have come from West Pakistan, (3,649
in 1947; 1,247 in 1948 and 85 in 1949). Majority of them, that is 2,432
or 48.5 per cent, were traders; of the rest, 1,707 or 34.1 per cent earned
their livelihood by other services and miscellaneous sources, 597 or 12
percent were industrialists and 194 or 3.9 per cent were engaged in
transport, 18 or 0.3 per cent were cultivators of owned land, 28 or 0.5
per cent were cultivators of un-owned land, 32 or 0.6 per cent were
non-cultivating owners of land and 4 or 0.1 percent were cultivating
labourersi.

The displaced persons were absorbed on land, trade, industry,
business and a number of other occupations. In order to facilitate
their resettlement, grants of land, subsidy and loans were made to
them.

I 19S1. R-Sjcsthzn arJ Ajtrei District C /: //<./« ot A, Bikaner, Parti,

General Descrifvtion and Census Table, p. 3.

Rajasthan Cistrict Gazetteers— Bikaner

The following table shows occupational division of displaced
persons in 1951.1

Categories

Urban

Rural

Total

Male

Female

Male

Female

Male

Female

Cultivators of land wholly
or mainly owned and their
dependents

Cultivators of land wholly
or mainly un-owned and
their dependents

Cultivating labourers and
their dependents

Non-cultivating owners of
land ; agricultural rent
receivers and dependents

Production other than
cultivation

284

282

301

296

Commerce

1,253

1,040

1,324

. 1,108

Transport

101

Other services and mis-
cellaneous sources

871

813

880

827

LANGUAGE

According to the 1961 Census, the principal language spoken in
the district is Marwari, a dialect of Rajasthani , which according to
Dr. Grierson’s classification belongs to the Indo-European family,
Indo-Aryan Branch, Central Group. It was spoken by 372,833 persons
(190,424 males and 1,82,409 females),, excluding 3,467 persons who
spoke other dialects of Rajasthani, forming 84 per cent of the total
population at the time of 1961 Census. Hindi, including its variants
Brij Bhasha and Khariboli, is spoken by 36,841 persons, Urdu by 12,922
and Punjabi by 6,402 persons. The number of persons speaking other
Indian languages in the district is : Bengali 1,3 17, Gujarati 341, Marathi
513, Tamil 165, Nepali 163, Deshwari 93, Bihari 76, Arbic 69,
Kankeri 26, Kashmiri 18, Mult.ani 10, Sindhi 6,535, English 46,

1. Census, i9^^,llj■jaslhin and Ajmer District Census Handbook, Bikaner part I,
General Description and Grnsus Tables, p. 80.

People

Assamese 21 and Sanskrit 1. The other dialects of Rajasthan spoken
in the district are Rajasthani (3,467); Rathi (2,156); Thali (475); Sansi
(two) and Shekhawati (two).

Bilingualism

Bilingualism is fairly common among the people of the district.
Out of the total of 444,515 persons, 16,660 were returned as speaking
more than one language-English 10,353; Hindi 3,837; Urdu 1,037;
Bengali 386; Punjabi 288; Sanskrit 188; Sindhi 175; Arabic 173; Gujarati
121; Assamese 55; Nepali 18; Marathi 17; Persian 8; Tamil, Telgu,
Tibetan and German one each.

RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL GROUPS

The bulk of the population consists of Hindus. Their total
number according to the 1961 Census, was 376,265 (197,188 males and
179,077 females) which formed 84.7 per cent of the total, Muslims
numbered 50,264 (27,040 males and 23,224 femals) forming 1 1.3 per cent,
Jains numbcreded 16,772 (7,750 males and 9,022 females) forming 3.7 per
cent and the rest formed 0.3 per cent. These included 996 Sikhs
(585 males and 411 females), 211 Christians (133 males and 78 females)
and 7 (3 males and 4 females) those whose religion was not stated.

Hindus

The principal sects of Hindus in the district are (i) Vaishnava
(ii) Shaiva and (iii) Shakta. They are worshippers of Vishnu, Shiva
and Shakti respectively. Followers of Vishnu are said to predominate.

Caste system among the Hindus of the district is the same as
elsewhere in the State, and is showing the same signs of slackening of
its rigidity, specially in the urban areas. Educational advancement,
social awakening and continuous efforts to ameliorate the economic
and social conditions of the groups at the lower rungs of the society,
have helped to break the rigid-caste barriers. Important castes among
Hindus living in the district arc Brahmans, Mahajans (Baniyas), Jats,
Rajputs, Nayaks or Thoris, Meghwals, Bishnois and Darogas.

BR.M5MANS-— Generally a, hard-working class, Brahmans are
mostly traders and agriculturists, though some still perform priestly
duties, and a few have adopted various other professions. Their
different sects have not been recorded at any Census. Amongst the
Brahmans, Pushkarnas arc believed to preponderate in the district.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Other Brahmans found in the district are Pareek, Ganr, Gujar Gaur,
Dahimaor Dadhich, Saraswat. Sikhwal, Khandelwal and Paliwal.
According to Ivluhnot lS!ensi,i the celebrated historian of Marwar,
Pushkarnas originated from Sindh, where from they migrated to
Jaisalmer and in course of time, moved to Pokaran and other villages in
Marwar and the former State of Bikaner. They are strictly endogamous
and are grouped into a number of exogamous sub-divisions, some of
which are as under ; —

Purohit

Derasuri

11.

Churina

Vyas

Chhanjuni

12.

Kalla

Kenlia

Gundhari

13.

Joshi

Bissa

Busu

14.

Bhora

Acharya

10.

Ojha

The Paliwals

are

the remnants of

the priests of the

tribe, who, in their pastoral and commercial pursuits, gave up
their spiritual calling. They take their name from the town of Pali
which they held in grant from the Parihar Chiefs of Mandor, before
the establishment of Rathor power in Marwar. It is said that when
Sheoji, (Circa 1243 a.d.) the founder of Rathor power, imposed a
general war contribution on the inhabitants of Pali, the Paliwals
refused to pay pleading that they were Brahmans. This exasperated
the Raja who threw the leaders into prison and issued a fiat punishing
every Paliwal. Accordingly they all took refuge in Jaisalmer, and
later, shifted to and settled in the former Bikaner State. At present
only scattered families are found in villages and majority of them reside
in urban areas. They still do not observe the festival of Rakhi which
falls on the full moon of the month of Sawan because their ancestors
are said to have been slaughtered in large number by Muhammad
Ghori on that day. They worship the bridle of a horse on the festival
of Dashera to commemorate the memory of their warrior ancestors
who traded on horse back far and wide and would not hesitate to
unsheathe their swords in defence of their merchandise.

Mahajans — Mahajans or Banias arc generally known as
Marwaris in other parts of the country where they are well established
in trade and business. They form the wealthy section of the
population. With regard to origin of this class, Tod writes: “The Banias

1. Census of India, 1961, Vol. XIV, Part VI-D, Village Surrey Monographs,
Mudb, p. 14,

People

appear to trace tlieir origin to Rajputana and it seems not unlikely that
their ancestors were the trading community among the inhabitants of
Rajputana.” Amongst the Bania caste, the three most important divisions
are the Oswals, Agar\?als and Maheshwaris. The Agarwals are said to
bail from the Hisiir district of Haryana. The Oswals trace their
origin to Jodhpur or Western Marwar. The Maheshwaris claim to be
descendants of the Rajputs who took to commerce and sank to the
level of other Banias. The Maheshwaris came with Bika the founder of
Bikaner. The Agarwals and the Saraogis immigrated to the Bikaner
State during the early period of Mohammedan invasions to save them-
selves from the rigours of insecurity of life and property in the Punjab
and the Gangetic plains.

The Oswals are said to be the descendants of Rajputs of different
clans who were converted to Jainism io.,tbE-secpnd:-Centlify Acd.. They
take their name from the town of QSi^ltf-'OB^^frAheftuins of which are
to be found thirty miles north^^Pf^^i^r ci^k^.J^heir_^chief sects in
the district are Kothari, NahtS^/^rf^ Chopra, Da^, Kochar, Bengani
and Sipani.

The Maheshwaris are at!|^4)n^s, son^e^fT'^the Kotharis and
Dagas are also Maheshwaris. l!fk^ii^^^OTW 5 ;^^Iiey''also trace their
origin from the Rajputs, chiefly Chauhans, Parihars and Solankis, and
comprise seventy-two exogamous sub-divisions. The name is derived
from Mahadeo or Mahesh whom they worship. They are of abstemious
habits in food and drink; refrain from the use of liquor and meat,
and do not use onions, garlic or carrots. By occupation they are
traders, contractors and bankers, some of them having trade connec-
tions in the remotest parts of India.

There are also a few Saraogi families in district. They are
Digambar Jains and consist of 84 sections. The word Saraogi is said
to mean ‘strict abhorrence of liquor’, but according to others, is a
corrupt of Shravak, a lay worshipper of Buddha or Jain. They are
strict vegetarians. They forbid the use of ivory bracelets by their
women, bathe before breakfast, take their evening meal before sunset
and burn no fuel without washing it.

The Agarwals trace their origin to Raja Agra Sen of Agroha in
the Punjab. They arc divided into 17i clans. The story runs that the
Raja being keen lo marry his 17 sons to 18 snake-daughters of, Balak,

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

had another son formed out of the body of the eldest and thus brought
about their marriage; hence the number. The half section can eat
together but not inter-marry with others, while the other half section
known as the Narnaul Singhis, forms the Mutsaddi or the ofiBcial class.
The other clans are engaged in trade and are very enterprising, being
found in almost all the cantonments and distant places, running their
small shops, or managing big establishments under the ubiquitous
name of Marwaris.

Jats — ^The Jats account for one-fourth to one-fifth of the entire
population of the district; but preponderate numerically in the eastern
tahsils. Their more important clans are Godara, Puniya, Beniwal,
Sohu, Kaswan and Bagri; of these Godara and Saran are numerous in
the district. The head of the Godaras still enjoys the privilege of putting
the tilak or auspicious mark on the forehead of the new Maharaja of
Bikaner Prior to the advent of the Rathors, the Jats held the greater
part of this territory under their sway, but most of them are now
agriculturists and are known to be good cultivators. They have also
taken to sheep breeding work. They possess strong and hardy physiques
and are good natured by temperament. They are Vaishnavas, and call
in Brahmans to officiate at their ceremonies; socially they are
in the fore-front of the castes where widow marriage prevails and is
practised without demur.

Rajputs — The Rajputs are the traditional fighting and .land
owning caste. Formerly they were divided into two economic classes,
namely, (i) the aristocracy consisting of Jagirdars, and (ii) the tillers
of the soil. The abolition of jagirs has affected them adversely; many
of them have not yet attuned themselves to adoption of new occupations
in a competitive social set-up.

The important Rajput clans living in the district are Rathor and
the Bhati. The sects of the Rathor clan are the Bikawats, the
Bidawats and the Kandholots, named after Rao Bika, the founder of
the erstwhile State of Bikaner, and his brother Bida and his uncle,
Kandhal respectively. Their further sub-divisions arc Ratansinghot,
Sarangot Kishan Singhot, Kesho Dasot and Manohar Dasot.

Tanwar Rajputs are also in sizable number. Rawane Rajput
(also known as Darogas, Golas and Chelas) arc considered lower in
status by the Rajputs. They arc also found in good number in the
district. They have been described later.

People

Nayaks or Thoris — The word Nayak in Sanskrit means a
Commander. How it came to be associated with 'the name of this
community is still unknown. The Nayaks claim their identity
with Surya Vanshi Kshatriyas and their descent from king
Ajay Pal in particular. The claim has been acceded to by scholars
like Pandit Jwala Prasad Mishra and Pandit Chhote Lai Sharma to the
extent that their ancestors occupied posts of responsibility in the service
of the Rajput princes, but due to frequent incursions of invaders they
look shelter in remote places where they mixed up with primitive
communities, imbibed their habits and customs and became their
leaders or Nayaks. This theory, however, is not borne out by historical
evidence.

The word Thori^ another name for Nayaks, is used in a
derogatory sense, amounting almost to an abuse by the people of higher
castes. They are treated as untouchables and are not allowed to build
their huts adjacent to those of the high caste people. Their habita-
tions arc, therefore, located usually at an appreciable distance from the
main abadi.

Till recently, the Nayaks have been considered good as mounted
attendants or grooms or messengers. Their women folk serve as
midwives.

Meghwals — The Meghwals claim their descent from legendary
Brahman saint Mcgh. The story goes that there were four brothers who
decided that the youngest of them should remove the dead body of' a
cow that had died in their yard. Accordingly, he dragged the carcass
away to the jungle but on his return he was prevented from rejoining
them and was forced to work as a Chamar.- Another story goes that a
Raja had two daughters-Chamu and Bhamu, each of whom had a son.
One day an elephant died in the courtyard of the palace. Charau’s
son who possessed Herculean strength, carried away the carcass and
buried it. Thereupon, he was declared an outcaste and forced to take
up the profession of a Chamar. These legends, however, fail to explain
the origin of Meghwals except that persons of higher castes were
degraded to the groups that worked as skinners of dead animals.

The Meghw'als arc split into a number of exogamous goiras, such
as : Jatra. Chandra, Bora, Sullaria, Novanpuria, Sungaria, Kansotia,

1. Cemvs of JrJta. Vol. XIV, Part VJ-B, ViUage Survey Monographs, Mudh,

P.lf.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Dameria, Goyal, Pawar, Khatania, Gander Balaicha, Lotna, Bhati,
Jalan, Tadia Kanteria, Barupal, Chabaria and a host of others totalling
more than a hnndred. They worship Ramdeoji and Gogaji and their
family Goddess Khetla Mata.

A Meghvval youth is permitted by custom to have more than one
wife but marrying of two real sisters by the same person is taboo.
Remarriage of widows is prevalent but a widower cannot marry the
sister of the deceased wife. At the time of betrothal, coconuts, jaggery,
opium etc. are exchanged by both sides. A Garura Brahmin is
engaged to officiate at the marriage ceremony. A feast called Bliaiyaji
ka Bhojan is thrown during the seventh month of the first pregnancy of
a girl, and a month after the delivery of the child, a ceremony known
as Siirya puja is held in which the Sun-god is worshipped. The Meghwal
bury their dead.

Bishnois — Bishnoisi derive their name from Vishnu as they lay
great emphasis on its worship. They embraced 29 articles of their
faith at the instance of a Panwar Rajput ascetic of village Pipasar
(Nagaur district), named Jhambhoji towards the end of the 15th century.
Originally, the Bishnoi sect adopting a cosmopolitan spirit threw its
gates open to persons belonging to any caste or creed. In course of
time, however, the rigidity of caste system amongst other communities
influenced the Bishnois, and they also formed themselves into a dis-
tinct sect, and now the bondage of caste is as firm among Bishnois as
in any other community. They are distinguished from the rest of the
Hindus as they burry and do not burn their dead bodies. Mostly, Jats,-
Brahmans, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas joined the Bishnoi sect. They
marry among their own community but arc exogamous so far as their
own Gotra is concerned. Some of the Goiras which are found in the
district and are akin to those of the Jats are : Kaswan, Godara, Punia,
Sahu and Bhadi. Their chief occupation is agriculture and they are
good at that. They are noted for their strength, hardhood and longe-
vity. A Bishnoi can easily be recognised by his typical features. They
are strict vegetarians and will not assist or favour even hunting of wild
animals. Bishnois have their own priests, called Thapans, who offi-
ciate at their ceremonial functions. There are ten centres in the country
which are considered sacred by them. Mukam, a village in Bikaner
district, is one of these sacred places. Jambhoji was buried here and

1. Dr. Hira Lai Mahcshw.iri. y/iom6Ae>//, Vislinoi Sampradaya Aur Sahitya, Vol. I,
Calciitta, 1970, p. 437.

People

his Samadhi was erected at this place. The Bishnois of the district
visit the shrine in large numbers twice a year to pay their homage to
the saint.

Darogas — ^The origin of the Darogas can be traced to the
numerous young maids who came as a part of the dowry with the
brides in the Rajput homes and stayed with them under the same roof.
As a result, children born of the extra-marital relations of these maids
with the male members of the family were called Chakars, Hazuris,
Chelas, Golas and Darogas, and were owned by the ruler, ibakurs, or
other Rajput nobles concerned. They as a class had no hereditary
rights to property or other ownership. For the services rendered by
them they were allowed food and clothes. Arrangement of marriages
among them was the prerogative of their master. Their wives and
daughters were given away by their respective masters as a part of
dowry with their own daughters. If, at any time, they stayed away or
took shelter elsewhere, they were forced to come back.

The Darogas in erstwhile Bikaner State, numbered 13,629 or 1.5
per cent of the total population of the State according to 1931 Census.
They sometimes claim to be Ravane Rajputs. No steps for their eman-
cipation or defining their status in society, was ever taken till the
advent of Independence. The political consciousness following it and
the abolition of the Jaghirdari system have largely contributed to the
emancipation of this class, whom their masters could not maintain
after their jagirs had been resumed.

Alakhgirs — The peculiar religious sect found in the district is
that of the Alakhgirs which, though neither numerous nor important,
is interesting because of its being founded by a member of the Charaar
community known by the name of Lalgir with a number of high caste
Hindus among its followers. Born in the village of Sulkhania, he was
taken away while he was five years old by a Naga^ who made him
his disciple. Fifteen j'ears later he returned with his Guru who dis-
covering that Lalgir was the son of a Chamar, forsook him and him-
self went under a course of purification. In 1830, Lalgir came to
Bikaner where he lived in a but near the western gate of the fort for
twelve years, and, when Maharaja Ralan Singh proceeded on pilgri-
mage of the Ganges, he accompanied him. On his return from the
pilgnmagc after constructing a well in his native village he came back

l. This was a sec? of Hindu monks who adopted fighting as their profession.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

to Bikaner where, although he made no secret of his being a Chamar,
he created a following, chief of whom was one Lachhi Ram, the chief
steward of one of the powerful maharanis. Lalgir denounced idolatry
and preached to his disciples to call God only as Alakh (incomprehen-
sible). Their worship consisted of only enchanting the word Alakh.
Charity was encouraged, the taking of animal life and meat as food
were forbidden. Asceticism were recommended to subdue passion and
the only reward held out in life was the attainment of purity, un-
disturbed meditation and serenity. He believed that there was no
further state of existence as all perished with the body and there was
nothing beyond it. Peace in life and a good name afterwards were
the sole but adequate inducement to the practice of virtue.

Lachhi Ram, prompted by his guru started constructing the
splendid 'Alakh Sagar’ at Bikaner, which was completed in Samvat
1909. One day while Maharaja Ratan Singh was going
to Lakshmi Narain temple, Lalgir contemptuously enquired what he
would get there. This enraged the Maharaja who expelled him and
threw his book in manuscript into water. The book contained abusive
and derisive references to Hinduism.

Lalgir went to Jaipur, and directed his followers to don the
ascetic robs (the Dhagwan libas or clothes of a reddish colour, woin by
the Dadupanthis) and become Jogis. The compliance of this mandate
rent the air everywhere with the chanting of Alakh ! Alakh ! Maharaja
Sardar Singh got irritated and in order to put an end to the creed,
directed the expulsion of all Alakhgirs from the State. The weaker
spirits abandoned the faith, but Lachhi Ram remained steadfast and
was accordingly expelled, and his religious books were destroyed.
Eventually, when Man Mai, son of Lachhi Ram, became Minister
(about 1866-67), Lalgir was reported to have been permitted to return
and resume his teachings. The Alakhgirs are mainly ascetics, though a
few of them are family men. They do not admit Musalmans to their
faith and consider themselves to be a Jain sect, respecting, though not
worshipping, the Jain munis.

Mohammedans

Muslims are divided into Sunnis and Shias. Of these, the for-
mer arc found in large number in the district. The principle divisions
of the Muslims are Sheikh, Saiyad, Mughal and Pathan. The caste
system has influenced the Muslims also who are divided into several
functional and other castes. Some of them are as follows :

People

1. Jaunjgobu, 2. Teli, 3. Kasai, 4, Rangad, 5. Sheikh, 6.
Mirasi, 7. Bhisti, 8, Chhippa, 9. Dholi, 10. Fakir, 11, Mali,
12. Rangrez, 13. Dhobi, 14. Jat, 15. Khalal, 16. Khoja, 17.
Kiimbhar, 18. Kunjra, 19. Lohar. 20. Mulla, 21. Nai, 22.
Pajabgir (worker at kilns, bricks etc.) 23. Chobdar and 24. Gujar.
Pastoral tribes amongst Mohammedans consist chiefly of the Johyas,
Bhattis and the Raths.

Christians

The small Christian community consists of 211 persons (133
males and 78 females) according to the 1961 Census. Most of them are
either Methodists, Roman Catholics or Presbyterians. The area is
included in the Anglican Sea of the Bishop of Nagpur and the Roman
Catholic Prefecture of Rajputana. The native Christians have come
from outside to earn their living mostly on the railways.

Sikhs

Not in large numbers in the district, Sikhs regard Grantb Sahib
as their Guru and strictly adhere to the five Symbols — Kara (iron
bangle), Kacchha (underwear), Kangha (comb), Katar (daggar) and
Kesh (hair) of the head and beard. Most of them are Jats.

Jains

Bikaner was popularly known as the land of Jains. Numerically
insignificant, they hold important positions in the socio-economic life
of the district by virtue of their pre-eminence in trade and commerce.
The Oswals and Saraogis arc the important groups of the community
who are outwardly Hindus in their behaviour, but distinguish their
creed by avowal of Afiimsa as its sheet anchor, the worship of Tirthan-
karas, and the absence of a priestly class. They are divided into the
two sects of Swetarabar and Digamber. Swetambars are further
divided into groups of Bais Sampradays, Tera Panthi and Mandir
Margi.

Religious Beliefs and Practices

Orthodoxy grips the thought of most people in the district and
their minds arc still sunk in superstition. A simple belief in destiny,
nature or God sustains their faith. All phenomena for which their
limited knowledge fails to find an explanation, or which is baneful, is
ascribed to providence. This attitude, being common to most religions,
is accepted by persons professing different faiths. The theory of Karma

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

the law of causation i.e. Reward and Retribution follow action in this
life or the life hereafter, has a great hold on their rninds. Along
with these simple tenets, polytheistic anthropo-morphism still
prevails and people have great faith in a number of gods and
goddesses, notably Bhaeroji, Hanumanji, Shitla fGoddess of small
pox), Pabuji, Ramdeoji, Gogaji, Hing Laj Mata Mawarian, Karniji,
Babhuta Sidh and Kesaria Kanwal etc. Some of them were humans
consecrated as gods immortal and possessing divine powers. The
worship of the sacred herb Tithi and trees like Peepal and Khejra are
also resorted to in many households. The wrath and retribution of
the gods is feared as much as their boons are solicited. Animal
sacrifices are also offered at certain shrines of the Gods to propitiate
them for warding off the evil influences. Priests and priestesses
(Bhopa & Bhopi) are attached at the shrines of Bhairo and Mawarian
for this purpose. In some rural areas, simple superstitious faith still
prevails in the capacity of professional charmers to subdue an evil spirit
by captivating it in an earthern pot which is carried away to be nailed
at some secluded place-usually a burial ground. Muslim sourcerers
seek to ward off the effects of evil eye by amulets {Taviz) which they
profess to have endowed with magic powers. No doubt these
irrational beliefs are on the decline, but mostly in rural areas many
people have still faith in the potency of charms, amulets and secret
formula {Jantra, Mantra and Tantra). Sometimes it is believed to
strengthen their courage, determination and self-confidence.

People also believe in the efficacy of omens to forestall the
coming events. Thus a cat crossing the way, a person with flowers or
head load of fire wood confronting another set on a journey, sneezing
or the sight of a widow before stepping out of the house, are considered
ill foreboding, while coming across a sweeperess a maiden, or a married
woman while undertaking a journey, is considered auspicious. If a
lizard falls^on the left side of a man or the right side of a woman, it is
considered ominous, and if it docs otherwise it is a bad . sign. Quivering
of the left side of the body of a woman is taken to be a bad omen. It
may, however, be mentioned that these omens are interpreted alike by
all superstitious people in the State.

There arc, however, certain omens related to a particular region,
especially with regard to rains and ploughing; for example, there is a
saying that if on the first day after the end of the nionth of Jeth, there
is a rumbling of clouds in the sky, the next two months Asadit and

People

99 .

Shrawan would go dry, and rain cannot be expected before the month of
BJiadon. Further, it is considered a good omeu for the coming rains if
Akha Teej is a windy day, but if Tikri, a bird, lays eggs on the banks of
Nal, a place 13 km. (8 miles) away fro n Bikaner, it predicts drought.

Most people of the district have a strong faith in astrology, and
every auspicious occasion is determined by the proper constellation of
the planets, known as Mahurat, for which some Brahman is generally
consulted. Astrologers are quite popular for reading future events in
the lives of individuals.

Nomenclature

In the matter of nomenclature Bikaner differs in no way from
the neighbouring districts of the State. The higher and middle classes
of the Hindus have two names, the first of which may be that of some
god, or a term suggestive of (a) auspiciousness and happiness in the
case of a Brahman, (b) power and protection in that of a Kshatriya
and (c) wealth and prosperity in that of a Vaishya. The second part
of the name is usually indicative of the division to which the holder
belongs, c.g., Dan, Das, Datt, Dayal, Deo, Karan, Prasad among
Brahmans; almost invariably Singh among Kshatriyas; and Chand, Mai,
Raj among Vaishyas. A third name, showing the man’s clan, caste or
occupation, is sometimes prefixed or added, e.g. Rup Singh Parihar,
Purohit Ganga Ram, Mul Chand Bagla, Seth Bhagwan Das etc. The
Sudras on the other hand, usually have monosyllable name which, as
pronounced, not infrequently ends in the letter “O”- for example
Manglib, Padmio, Rawatio. In all the castes popular names are also
given following deities (Ganesh), days (Mangal Chand), dales
(Gyarsilal), rivers (Jamana Das) etc.

The female names are generally indicative of the names of
goddesses, rivers and flowers, that is, Saraswati, Durga, Ganga, Champa,
Chamcli etc. and suffixed mainly by Bai, Devi or Kanwar. In rural
areas the nomenclature of males is adopted on similar principles as in
urban areas but in actual practice the diminutive form of the first
prefix is adopted, Justus ‘Motilal’ is called Moti; females are called
by such names as represent the feminine gender of the names of their
husbands. Thus Mcghti would be the wife of Megha and Jeilii would
be the wife of Jetha,

In names of the localities, the sufnx-.y£fr (meaning a tank) seems
to be most common, that is, Napusar. Bhinasar, Ambasar, Malasar etc.
Next comes pnm and wala, both meaning place or habitation c.g.

100

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikane

Amarpura, Karanpura, Lakrawalla, Gojaliwala. Such endings as garh
(fort) e.g. Chak-Madhogarh, Chhatargarh are also found. Some places
are also named after their founder or some leading personality.
Buildings predominantly bear the name or caste of their owner and
the moliallas are commonly known by the caste or community residing
there, with chowk or pirol added e.g. Vyason-ka-chowk, Degon-ka-
chowk, Beganion-ki-pirol, Badhanion-ka-chowk etc.

Domestic animals are often described according to their colour,
that is, Ka/i (black) D/io/i (white) cows,* and Kalia (black), bhuria
(white) etc. are names given to dogs. In cities dogs as elsewhere, are
generally given English names, that is Tomy, Tiger, Puppy etc.

SOCIAL LIFE

Joint family system

The joint family system still forms a dominant feature of Hindu
society in the district, though loose ends have appeared in the tight
hold it had for centuries. The disintegrating process came to the fore
with a number of factois emerging under the changed conditions of life.
When living was simple and economic struggle Jess onerous, it served
the society well by providing a de-facto insurance against sickness,
employment and old age, but when the economic conditions became
hard and the way of living more complex, it became too much of a
burden on the head and other earning members of the family to feed
drones on a shrinking hive. Individualistic trend in modern education
and thinking is also eating into the vitals of this system. The immediate
cause is provided by petty jealousies and dissentions among the ladies
of the household. Disparity, in the income of the husbands, tempera-
mental incongruities and lack of firm control by the head of the family
as the one belonging to an older generation could exercise, on the
women is strengthening the disruptive forces. Then, life is so hard
that people arc compelled to leave their hearths and homes in search
of a gainful occupation. The beginning of the disintegrating process
has definitely set in, and cracks have appeared in the joint family fortress
even in this district where orthodoxy and love of tradition hold sway
over the minds of many a man.

Inheritance

The ordinary law of primogeniture was applicable to Jaghirdars
irrespective of whether he was a Hindu or a Muslim. In case of others,
succession took place according to the personal law by which a person

People

was governed-Hindu law in the case oT Hindus and Mohammedan Law
in the case of Muslims. The system in vogue in the district was
patrilinial. The Hindu Succession Act, 1956, which now regulates
succession amongst Hindus (including Jains and Sikhs) and which
confers rights of inheritance on the daughter, in the property of the
deceased father, has so far, had no effect in the rural area, where the
customary law is still in vogue. The people are, of course, aware of it
but the new idea of equality between sons and daughters in matters of
succession does not find favour with them. They take it to be against
the tenets of their faith and apprehend that it would create complications
in the joint families. The Hindu Law also conferred no right on women
to inherit absolute and dominant interest in the property of her
husband. She had only a limited interest in it till her life or re-marriage.
It was meant mainly for her maintenance and recognised religious
performances, though she enjoyed absolute rights as far as Stri Dhan
or women’s property, was concerned. This consists of ornaments or
valuable presents given to her by her father, husband and other
relatives. The Hindu Inheritance and Succession Act, 1956 now admits -
the widow as an equal sharer with sons and daughters of the deceased
to his property. She can now have absolute control over, alienate or
dispose of, her share of the property. Nevertheless, this change also
has yet to find roots. The orthodox people of the district still have
not taken to this legislation favourably and often deny her the rights '
which the law confers, unless she takes recourse to the courts.

Adoption

The Mitakshara Law of adoption, as interpreted by the Banaras
School, is in vogue in this district. Whenever a Hindu has no male
issue, he adopts one of the male children of his relatives, preferably a
brother’s son. The adopted son like a real son, enjoys all legal rights
and privileges of the adoptive father and at' the same time, loses all
claims to inheritance and other privileges in the family of his natural
father. A' legitimate son born subsequent to an adoption, takes
precedence over the adopted one who is treated as a younger son.
Formerly, a woman had no right to adopt except with the explicit
consent of her husband, or that of his agnates and collaterals in case
of a widow. Under the provisions of the Hindu Succession Act, women
can now adopt at their will and even a girl Citn be adopted irre.spcctive
of the age of the adopter and the adopted. However, the old traditions
die hard and still persist with the orthodox.

102

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Polygamy

Though Hindu Law lays down no restriction on the number of
wives a person can have, yet force of tradition and pressure of public
opinion worked for monogamous marriages amongst Hindus in general.
Among certain classes of Hindus in the district, however, polygamy was
traditionally allowed and they could keep as many wives as they desired.
Hypergamous marriages sometimes in the past, used to be the pride
of the landed aristocracy, but the practice has completely disappeared
now. Polygamy now is not only forbidden by public opinion as before,
but has been made an offence under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
The law provides that neither party can marry again with a spouse
living at the time of marriage. Though according to Mohammedan
Law, Mohammedans can have more than one wife, the number being
restricted to four, yet in this district they rarely have more than one,
due to economic factors and general awakening. In the case of the
Government servants, generally, the State has prohibited the marrying
of second wife, without the sanction of the Government. The Hindus
(the term includes the Sikhs and the Jains for the purpose of the Hindu
Marriage Act) and the Christians arc now by law monogamous.

Restrictions on Marriage

The Hindu Law and customs impose certain restrictions on
contracting marriage, the most common being that no marriage can
take place among families of the same gotra; where marriages in the
same gotra are permissible, restrictions extend upto six degrees in the
case of male line and four degrees on the maternal side. The Hindu
Marriage Act has removed the restrictions so far as marriages among
families of the same gotra are concerned, but marriages among Sapindas
are still not recognised by law as well as custom. The caste is
essentially an endogamous unit and no man could marry a woman
except one from his own caste, which could in practice, mean the sub-
caste. Inter-sub-caste marriages arc not common, but of late, they arc
taking. place but on a small scale. Inter-caste marriages among the
educated persons arc now being tolerated which though permissible
under law, arc not favoured by the society.

To a Hindu, the object of marriage is to have a son to perform
the last rites of his deceased parents, without which there is believed
to be no sak-ation for them. In Hindu and Jain families the order of
priority of marri.ige among males is determined by their seniority in age.
Muslims too follow it as they are mostly converts from Hinduism and

People

103

hold old beliefs towards caste and social practices. The marriage is
universal in the district as in the rest of India. Love marriages are
few and far between.

Marital Status

According to the 1961 Census 1 1.3 per cent males and 37.7 per
cent females, of the respective population in rural areas, and 5.0 per cent
males and 25.6 per cent females in the urban areas, in the age-group
of 10-14 years were married. It reveals the extent of child marriages
in the district; of the girls and boys aged 14 or less, about 8 per
cent amongst girls and about 3 per cent amongst boys were
married according to 1961 Census figures as against 10 per cent among
girls and 10 per cent amongst boys in 1951.1 it shows that child
marriage, especially amongst boys, is on the wane. Generally, the
marriageable age among girls now is between 15 to 25 and among
boys, 18 to 30. The 1961 Census reveals that out of every 1000 males,
420 were married, 550 unmarried and 30 were widowed or divorced.
The corresponding figures for females were 475, 421 and 104 respectively.
The number of divorced or separated males and females being 77 and
86 only indicates that divorce is unusual and the law is invoked in
rare cases only. Another striking feature is that number of widows is
comparatively much higher than widowers which implies that men
usually remarry. The number of married women, totalling 100,653 in
the district, as against 97,663 married males, reveals the existence of
polygamy.

Marital Reforms

First attempts to eradicate the evil of early child marriage were
made with the enactment of the Bikaner Hindu Marriage Act, 1928.
It made penal the marriage of a boy under 16 years, and of a girl
under 11 years. The marriages of girls above 11 years, however, were
left untouched. After the formation of Rajasthan the provisions of
the Sarda Act were made applicable, which prohibits the marriage of a
boy below IS and a girl below 15. These measures have succeeded to
some extent but the evil still lingers. The educated and the progressive
people, have discarded the child marriage, while the orthodo.K and the
illiterate still cling to it.

Marriage Customs

The marriage rituals among the higher castes are the same as
1. Based on Sample Survey, 1951 Census.

104

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

elsewhere in the State with minor variations. Marriages still continue
to be arranged by the parents of the boys and girls. Due importance
is given not only to the eligibility of the girl proposed to be married
but also to her family, whether it comes within the acceptable standards
of the bridegroom’s family, in caste, status and financial position. It
is also ensured that it is not within the prohibited degrees of marriage
relationship. The considerations in selecting a boy for a marriage have
undergone some change. The mere fact that the boy belongs to the
higher group in the sub-caste is not sufficient. His education, economic
independence and future prospects are now the decisive factors. Presents
in cash and kind are made to the prospective bridegroom and his
guardian at the time of settlement of the marriage. This ceremony is
called Sagai. It is followed by tilak or tika which is held at the house
of the bridegroom when the bride’s father sends presents both in cash
and kind e.g. silver utensils, clothes, sweetmeats and fruits, according
to his status and capacity. Either simultaneously with the above, or
after sometime, there is a lagan ceremony in which the time fixed for
the marriage is intimated by the bride’s father. The bridegroom then
goes with his party, or the barat, as it is called, to the bride’s house.
On the date fixed for the marriage, there is a ceremonial reception of
the bridegroom and his party. This is followed by Kanyadan in
which the father or guardian of the bride, offers the bride-groom
his daughter or ward to be his wife. The actual marriage
ceremony is variously known as Hath Leva or Bhanwar or Saptapadi
or Phera, which consists in taking seven steps round the nuptial fire by
the bridegroom together at the predetermined auspicious hour. Members
of the family, relatives and friends of the bride’s side take part in the
Kanyadan. The ceremony is begun by honouring the bridegroom
and making presents of a small ring or a coin or otherwise; and
is followed by actual offering of the bride. The last ceremony is the.
bida or farewell to the bride. An interesting custom among the
Pushkarana community in the district is that mass marriages take place
simultaneously after every four years. If some one fails to attend the
ceremony, he is to wait for another four years; exception, however, is
allowed when the marriage is celebrated in Jkalsava.

Marriage ceremonies among the Muslims are much simpler as
compared to those of the Hindus. The actual Nikah ceremony differs
in the case of Shias and Sunnis on the one hand, and the Rajput
converts on the other, who follow their old customs along with the

People

105

Islamic rituals. With the Muslims, marriage is a contract and the
dowry or mehr is always fixed before the ceremony takes place, the
amount of mehr varying according to the status of the contracting
parties. The proposal for marriages, as in the case of Hindus, is usually
initiated by the parents of the bridegroom, rather than those of the
bride. Muslims also follow the ceremonies of mangni or betrothal and
taking of bar at. Before the actual marriage ceremony is solemnised,
consent of both bride and bridegroom is obtained in the presence of
witnesses. Legally the bride’s consent is obtained through vakils
because of faminine modesty and purda system. As soon as the consent
of the parties to the marriage is communicated and announced and the
mehr fixed, the Quazi recites the Khutba and the marriage is solemnised.
Friends, relatives and other persons who attend the marriage, are then
entertained and auspicious dates and candy are distributed. The
bridegroom is then introduced to relations and the parting ceremony or
ruksat takes place. The restrictions on marriage among the Muslims
are not many and marriages among cousins are permitted and even
considered desirable. Marriages between uncle and niece, brother and
sister, half-brother and half-sister are not possible, They are thus
closely endogamous.

Dowry

The system of dowry is prevalent mainly among the high caste
Hindus, though in one form or the other, it exists in nearly all the
castes. Among the Brahmans the father of the girl accepts money from
the boy’s side though this is not the practice among those who are rich
and aflluent. Among the Rajputs and the Banias it is the girl’s father
who gives dowry, but among Jats and other communities, the father of
the boy has to give cash to the father of the girl. In some cases a
definite amount to be given by the bride’s father is negotiated before
the marriage is settled. The amount so settled is paid either at the
lime of settlement of the marriage or of betrothal, or a part is given at
the betrothal and the balance at the time of various ceremonies which
precede the actual marriage. Usually ornaments, clothes, furniture and
house-hold goods are given to the bride. The dowry, as generally
understood, refers to the negotiated cash payment and not to the
voluntary presents which are usually given to the bridegroom by the
father of the bride and her other relatives to enable him to set up
smoothly a new home. Effects of the legislative measures, banning
dowry are yet not clearly discernible.

106

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Divorce

The dissolution of marriage in the various communities is regu-
lated either by custom or their personal laws or by special legislations
recently enacted. The Christians are governed by the Indian Divorce
Act, for marriages registered under the Christian Marriage Act. The
Mohammedan Law on divorce governs Muslim marriages. Among
the Scheduled Castes and some lower-caste communities of the Hindus,
divorce or dissolution of marriage, was permitted by custom and the
society recognised such separation and remarriage of the separated
couple. Divorce was not recognised under the Hindu Law, since
marriages were regarded as indissoluble sacrament until the Hindu
Marriage Act of 1955 was passed. It enabled the high caste Hindus to
seek divorce through court in restricted circumstances. A few cases of
desertion of wives by husbands have always been there as exceptions to
the general rule of conjugal fidelity.

Widow Remarriage

The marriages of widows among high-caste Hindus are still not
so common as in backward and Scheduled Castes, where a woman is
valuable second string to the economic bow of the family. Widow-
remarriage is viewed with favour in Muslim law, but in practice, due
perhaps to the influence of Hindu lineage and neighbourhood, it is not
in vogue in this district. In the rural areas, Jat widows often marry
their husbands’ younger brother, or occasionally some one else, and
it is called Choori Pahnana in the former case, Nata or Kareva in the
latter. Among Bislinois too, a widow may remarry her husband’s
younger brother if she so desires, though it is not obligatory, but elder
brother of the deceased husband cannot marry his younger brother’s
wife. The rule restricting the marriage of persons of the same goira is
applicable to the widow also. Widow remarriage is performed without
any pomp and show'. The would-be-husband simply presents a new
suit of clothes and a set of bangles as symbol of wedded life, and takes
her to his home on a Saturday night after dinning at the house of her
parents. By another custom a person who remarries a married woman
has to pay compensation locally called Jhagda to her former husband
and this is prevalent among some of the communities who permit
widow remarriage.

Position of Women — Women belonging to the upper and middle
classes arc still, as they have been from times immemorial, largely
dependent on their husbands 9 ConomicaUy. The vyorking class women

People

107

all along work with their men and lend a helping band and eke out
their livelihood. They naturally enjoy greater freedom of movement
and action. Among the higher caste families of Hindus, especially
the Rajputs, and the Muslims, strict purdah is observed by women
and their movements are confined to the four-walls of their homes, or
those of their relatives. Despite the fact that at present the district
has unique privilege of being administered by a lady Collector, the
subordinate social position of women in the area is too apparent.
Thanks to the impact of modern education with its liberali-
sing and emancipating influences, the purdah system with its social
seclusiveness and complex of inferiority is losing ground among the
younger generation, slowly but steadily. Its pace will be quickened
by spread of more education among girls. The district can take pride
even now in some of its women social workers who are playing a signi-
ficant role in all spheres of life. Their example will knidle the torch of
enlightenment, which will sweep in its stride all dark shadows of tyranny
of tradition, which make them cling to the chains that bind them.

Prostitution

Prostitution as an institution has always been an evil adjunct to
corporate life. Attempts made to restrict its influence arc met with
partial success. Introduction of Immoral Traffic Act, 1956, providing
for the suppression of brothels and trafficking in women, has partly
succeeded in vacating the red light districts in as much as, fallen
women still carry on the profession clandestinely. The reported figures
of the number of prosecutions launched or convictions secured in this
respect, do not throw much light on the actual extent of the evil,
because of legal difficulties in launching and securing prosecutions and
convictions under the act.

Drinking

People generally abstain from liquor. It was common among
the Rajputs and some of the hard working classes. It is noticeable
that the younger generation of Rajputs is much less addicted to drink-
ing-than the older. The taking of opium was also common amoncst
the Rajputs but now its intake has considerably dwindled due to
restrictions imposed by the Government, as opium is now sold on
ration cards supplied to addicts on medical grounds.

D.41LY LtrE— Life in the sillagcs starts pretty early in the morn-
ing. People go to the fields by 7 a, M , work there till noon, take

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

rest for a couple of hours, and again resort to work right upto 6 or 7
p. M. Women also get up early in the morning, grind their corn for
the day’s requirements, milch the cows and buffaloes, churn the
curd, fetch water from the wells, sweep their houses, courtyards
and the lanes outside the houses, and go out into the fields to assist
their men folk in their work. In the evening, the villagers assemble
together, gossip and smoke and then retire for the night. From June
to October the farmers are fairly busy first in preparing the land for
sowing and then in harvesting operations. The scarcity of water, the
shortage of food and the rigours of the climate have hardened their
life and mental attitudes. They are apt to fall a prey to sluggishness of
mind and become resistant to new ideas for their socio-economic uplift.

Life in the towns generally starts at about 7 A. M. in summer
and 9 a. m. in winter. The business community and artisans work
for the whole day between 8 a. m. to 9 p. m. The life of workers
and office-goers is [regulated by the fixed working hours, that is 9.30
A. M. to 5.30 p. M. Persons without work kill their time in scandal
mongering, playing cards and gossiping. The women-folk start their
work early in the morning because most of them have to prepare food.
They generally reit.ain indoors and keep themselves busy in household
chores.

Home Life

HoustHOLDS — The distribution of the households at 1951 and
1961 Census was as follows :

Administrative Unit

Households

1951 ^

19612

Total

65,857

78,073

Rural

34,301

44,989

Urban

31,556

33,084

1. Census. I95i, Rijasihan and Ajmer District Census Handbook, Bikaner. Parti

p. 63, '

2. Census of India, 1961, ilSJastfiin District Census Handbook, Bikaner District,

People

169

According to Census figures the size of the house- holds varied
from one or two members to more than ten. In the rural areas 50 per
cent of the households were of medium size, consisting of four to six
members, 27,8 per cent of small size consisting of less than 4 members
and 22.2 per cent of large size, consisting of more than six. In the
urban area the- households are distributed evenly over the various sizes,
being one-third in each category.

According to the sample survey carried out at the time of the
1961 Census regarding accommodation, households with one room
tenement were 25.5 per cent, with two 29.0 with three, 21,3 with four,
11.5 and with five or more rooms were 12.7 per cent; and people living
in them formed 18.6, 26.8, 23.2, 14 and 17.4 per cent respectively of
the total population. The distribution of this accommodation in
different categories of households in rural and urban areas is as
followsi :

(Percentage)

One

room

Two

rooms

Three

rooms

Four

roams

Five or more
rooms

Households j
Population

1 Rural

1 Urban

1 Rural
f Urban

24.4
27.1

17.9*

19.5

32.1

24.9

29.9
22.6

23.3

18.7

25.5

20.1

11.5

14.0

13.9

8.7

17.8

12.7

23.9

Furniture

Except for string cots, there is practically no furniture in
average village home. Sometimes, in the mud huts, there are shelves
built in the walls for the storage of articles and alcoves for housing
the deity. Women decorate the houses by painting the walls and
doors. Madhna or the indigenous art of household painting is skill-
fully designed with a chalk solution and on festivals with gulal, roJi or
flour. In towns, chairs and tables have made their appearance in
middle class families. The more well-to-do among them, have more
pretentious furniture; a drawing room suite, small tables and mnw
beds. The rich maintain a drav.'ing room with carpets and sofa sets
and decorate it with old pieces of art objects. In families with older
traditions the practice of having a sitting room furnished with floor
spreads and pillows i? still in vogue but is yielding place to new style
of furnishings.

l, Ussiii on 20% SampL* Survey,

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Dwellings

The common types of dwellings in the villages are circular huts
with walls made either of mud or bamboo plastered with mud and
covered by a thatched roof. In a typical household there are three or
four such huts which serve as living rooms, a separate structure known
as Kotlia which is meant for storing the grain, a separate kitchen and a
cattle-shed that can, in time of need, be converted into a guest-house.
A circular hut is locally termed as jitopcia and the gable ores which are
closed on three sides as paidwa. People put enclosures of thorny hedges
around their dwellings as a protection against the sand drifts and hot
winds. The houses of village traders and the thakurs are usually built of
sand-stone and mortar.

In the towns, one may see the magnificent masonary Havelies
where the rich live, mud dwellings of the fairly comfortable type
and the humble huts of the poor. The latter, which are made of grass,
twigs and roots of the pitog bush, are mostly circular and look like
small ricks. On the outskirts of bigger towns one may observe modern
style bungalows and flats making their bright appearanee.

Dress

Males in the rural areas usually wear Dhoti, Angarkha and
Poiia (head gear). The Dhoti or the lion-cloth which covers the lower
body, is generally smaller than the standard dhoti. It is a sheet of
cloth of local manufacture measuring about 10 feet by 3 feet. The
upper part of the body is covered by a Bandia, Angarkha or in some
parts of the district by Bnndi. It is like a shoit-coat tightly fitting the
body and fastened with tapes, over the chest or on the left side. The
third is the covering for head known as Poiia. In fact, the headgear
is poor imitation of the Rajput Safa (turban).

The well-to-do classes including the Rajputs, substitute ZJ/jo//
by a Churidar Pyjama and Angarkha by a Kurta, which is a collarlcss
and cuffless shirt. Over the Kurta, however, is worn the Achkan or the
Lamba angarkha, a buttoned up long coat touching the knees. The
turban is either called by its universal appellation pag or its variation
Pagra or Pccha. The Pecha (turban) is folded with a strip of
fine cloth. In local dialect, the word Moiiya is used for it.
Five-coloured turban is the coveted type known as Pachranga pecha or
Pachrangi Pagri. Marwaris use turban or Pagri which is kept ready

People

111

made to be put on like a cap. Many a time, a kerchief, locally known
as a rumal is tied round the turban or the pas>‘i ^nd sometimes
around the neck.

The dress of the ladies usually consists of a coloured skirt or a
petticoat, a tight bodice and a sheet of veil over the head and
around the body. For the lower part of the body the Ghagra or
Lahanga (skirt with vertical pleats) worn below the navel is almost
universal. Formerly it was made of triangular pieces and was known
as Kalidara each piece having the bud of a flower. All such pieces,
sewn toghether formed Gliagra, as they were wider at the base and
tapering tov/ards the waist tied around with a string. Ghagra made
of rectangular pieces has pleats with flaring width near the
ankles and waist tight on the upper side. It lends grace to the wearer
and is fared as Gliera Glnumlo in the folk songs of Rajasthan. High
class ladies sometimes wear a narrow piece of cloth, different in colour
and ornamentation from that of Ghagra, suspended centrally on the
front side. It is called Phelai and indicates that the bearer is a lady
whose husband is alive.

Upper part of the body is covered with a bodice called Kachali
or Kacavo. Folk-songs also become lyrical over this tight-fitting
bodice. This is artistically embroidered. There is then the scarf
popularly known as Odhani which wraps the body. It is usually
wider than the normal Sari as it covers the entire body from head to
foot. Its one end is tucked at the naval or the waist and the remaining
portion spread to the left covering the back and head. The other end
dangling from over the head is either brought under the right arm-pit
or tucked into the bodice.

Style of putting on male dresses varies in accordance with the
community to which the wearer belongs, especially in regard to the
turban. The Rajputs and those allied to them put on the Bikaner
Safa, with curves on the left and right and tail suspended on the back;
Maheshwaris and Brahmans wear round pag, Oswals a curved pag-.
The jPwgft’c of the Marwari 5e//;.r of Bikaner has a peculiarity of its
own and is a common sight all over India with their peculiar dress,
consisting of a silk ckola, a silk banyan, a super-fine Dhoti, a pump
shoe and multi-coloured Pagrcc.

The Ralhs in Pug.ai and bjagra put on white turban keeping the
middle of the Iscad uncovered, a long and loose Choki and a Laongi or

112

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Talmiad Gujarnear Dhotis, half shirts and round Sa/oi. Despite
slight differences in the mode and style of dress from community to
community, the general dress, however, is a shirt, a Dhoti and a turban
for the males and a Ghagva, Kurti and an Odhni for the females in the
rural areas.

Muslim males wear a round turban, an Ajarak a loose cloth on
the shoulder which is spread on the ground during Namaj, a full sleeved
but collarless kurta upto knees and a Tahmad, a long sheet of cloth
usually printed and worn losely round the waist. They wear trousers
and not Dhotis and mostly use an Achkan or long coat at social
functions.

The Muslim women wear Paijama, a long Kurta, usually half-
sleeved, an Odhni and when going out of doors, a Jhogga which
resembles a flowing gown gathered up at the waist in innumerable
tucks, but is put on like a coat, as it is open in front and has close
fitting sleeves. The Burqa is also used in towns and villages.

The dress-habit of the people especially females are, however,
suffering a gradual change with the changing times and wider contacts.
More and more women are taking to Saree, and blouse type choli is
replacing KachJi. Many men in towns are seen strutting in western
attire, which was till recently considered a symbol of their education and
status.

Ornaments

Men generally do not wear ornaments except the rich who put
on gofd necklace and finger rings. A few of them, however, wear rings
of gold or silver in their cars and silver anklets. Women, of course,
arc as usual fond of ornaments, and those belonging to affluent
families mostly revel in go'd, while those from the poorer sections and
the rural area, generally wear ornaments made of silver. The most
common ornament for women is the borla made of gold or silver studed
with glass-beads. Khuraba, Jhimiars and Damni arc worn in the ears,
while PhooJari in fingers of feet and Nath and Long decorate the nose.
The ornaments worn in the neck arc Hasli, Kanthl, Tussi Timania and
Dora. On the hands are Choora (with or without gold pattis), Choori,
Bajuband and Dantra, The waist is encircled with a chain called Kanakti
pnd on the ankles qnd feel are vyOFn fiada^ Nevri, Amyaja and Pa^al,

People

113

During the princely rule wearing of gold ornaments on the feet was a
privilege which could be enjoyed by those on whom the State had
conferred it. No such restrictions exist now. In villages, Hammel a
neckless of silver Rupees is very common. Women-folk is fond of
ornaments and when they cannot afford gold and silver ornaments.
Rang ornaments are used.

In rural areas, though ornamental tattooing is not very common
yet it is sometimes adopted to decorate the body. Followers of
Ramdeoji mostly get tatoo marks representing the feet of the deity, ,
known as Ramdeoji-ka-paglia , on their arms. Occasionally a tattoo
mark representing the figure of a peacock or a flower pot is also put.
Tattooing is done with the help of machines by professional tattooers,
who do not belong to any particular class or community. At times,
street needle-sellers also do this job.

Use of a variety of modern cosmetics amongst the educated
ladies, and those belonging to well-to-do families, is getting popular,
but those who still cling to old ways of living, and in rural areas
Mehndi (myrtle paste) is still applied to decorate hands and feet. Men-
folk in rural areas pridefully don their moustaches, mostly in a plain
manner, but the Bishnois distinguish themselves by keeping the two
sides of the hair on the upper lip apart by shaving a portion thereof
in the middle and by trimming their beard. Meghwals and others of
low caste keep their moustaches plain.

Food

The staple food of the people is Bajra. Other cereals used arc
wheat, barley, gram, jowar and occasionally rice. Wheat is consumed
by rich people, generally in the towns, and by the poor and the rural
community on festive occasions. The main pulse is Moth though
Moong and gram are also eaten. The common vegetables are Gawar-ki-
phali, Kachri, Sangri, Tindsi, (Phophalia loia) onions and radishes. The
Gawar-ki-phali is the whole pod of Gawar and is eaten with thick Sajra
bread called Sogra. Kachri, dried unripe and Kakri or cucumber, are
also extensively consumed; Sangri is the pod of Khejra and its leaves were
also eaten during farnines. Tindsi when dried is called Phophalia and is
relished with Bajra bread. The pods of the Kair and Phog are sometimes
used as condiments and the use of chillies is very common. Water-melon
and berries arc the fruits available to the people in the rural areas.

114

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Formerly, in years of scarcity, seeds of the various grasses, particularly
one known as Bhurat, were used by poor people. The most common
preparation is the Rabdi (porridge) or flour cooked in diluted butter
milk generally in the evening and taken in the morning. Other dishes
are Khichra that is, husked Bajra mixed with moth in the proportion
of four to one with a little ghee added to it.

The food served in feasts held on special occasions connected
with marriages, deaths, births and festivals, consists of Dal-ka-sira or
Halva (pudding) made of Mootig-lci~dal, Atta-ka-sira and Churtna made
of Bajra-ki-roti or wheat flour mixed with Gtir or sugar and Ghee.
Kichra is a speciality of Akha TeeJ. Klieer and other sweet dishes are
taken during Shradhs, and other festivals. It may be mentioned here that
Bikaner is known for its Rasgidla, fapad and Bhtijia which are also sent
to other parts of the country.

Hours of meals — People in the city, generally, take only two
meals a day; the first in the morning between 9 and 10 a.m. and the
second in the evening between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The villagers take
three meals a day. Their first meal, which is called Strvan consisting of
Rabdi and Clihacli is taken in the morning at about 6.30 a.m. in the
summer and about 7 A.M. in the winter before they go to the fields to
work. The second meal called Dopehri, is taken at mid-day and consists
of Roti of Bajra and some dry vegetable or Chhachh. They have their
evening meal at about 7 P.M. consisting of Bajra bread with raw onion
or Chatni of red chillies and sometimes Khichra or Moth andBajra with
milk or curd.

The conventional etiquette requires that shoes arc taken off
while taking meals. Food is kept at a slightly higher level than of the
person eating it. Meals are taken in kitchen or on cots or pattas. In
the city Papar is served at the end of the meals and is taken as a signal
that nothing else is to come.

Communal Life

Fairs & Festivals — Fairs and festivals play a significant role in
the life of the people in this district as in other parts of Rajasthan.
Fairs provide the market places where local produce is sold or
exchanged and where goods made in other parts or adjoining areas,
arc made available. They arc often held at religious centres, and

People

115

inspire people to get-together to give a touch of gaity to an otherwise
drab and sordid existence in the villages. Festivals, on the other hand,
are generally associated with some epochal event, actual or mythical,
in the hoary past of the community and bring home to the people the
vitality of their corporate living and further the cause of their
emotional intergration with one another.

Festivals — The principal Hindu festivals observed here are the
same as elsewhere in the State. Holi is observed in Phagim (February-
March), Gangor (festival of Qauri or Parvati) in Chait (March-April),
Akha Teej in Baisakh (April-May), Raksha-bandhan in Sawan (July-
August) when sisters tie charms round the wrists of their brothers,
Dushera in Asoj (September-October), and Dewali in Kartik (Octobcr-
November). Basant Panchami is the festival of spring. During Navratara
in Chaitra goddess Durga is worshipped for nine days. Other
important festivals are Ram Navmi, Janmashtami, Shiv Ratri, Ganesh
Chaturthi, Makar Sankranti etc. New year begins on the /)^t day of
Chaitra Sudi 1. These festivals are celebrated in much the same manner
as elcswhere though Akha Teej is celebrated with gay abandon, and is
considered of special significance in this district because Bikaner State
was founded a day before Akha Teej by Rao Bika, and it, was the first
day of celebrations connected with this historic event. It is popular
among the youngsters as it is ear-marked, for kite flying.

The main Muslim festivals are the same as in other parts viz.
Muharram, celebrated in the memory of Hazrat Immon Husan, Tdul-
Fitar, Idul-Zuha, in commemoration of Hazrat Ibrahim, Shab-i-barat
and Bara wafat, Ramzan is the month of fast and staunch Muslims keep
fast for all the 30 days in the month for purification of one’s soul and
to control one’s emotions.

The Jains celebrate the festivals of Mahavir Jayanti on Chaitra
Shnkla 13 and Swetarabers, Paryushan terminating on Samvatsari, the
fifth day of the dark half of Bhadra (August-Sepfember).

The main festivals of Sikhs arc Baisakhi, the 1st day of Baisakh
(April) Nanak Jayanti and Guru Govind Singh’s birthday.

Fairs — ^T lie following arc the important fairs held in the
district :

116

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

MoKAM Fair — Twice a year a fair is held at Mukani (in commemo-
ration of Jambheshwarji)!, on Phagun Krishna Amavasya and Aswin
Krishna 1 4- Amavasya in commemoration of Jambheshwarji the founder
of the Bishnoi sect. It was initiated by his disciples on Phagun Krishna
Amavasya Samvat 1648 (1591 a d.). This is attended by more than
12,000 persons and 3,500 persons respectively including Bishnoi
who come from all parts of the country to pay • their homage to the
illustrious founder of their sect. The most striking feature of the fair
is the performance of big Havans on the platform of the shrine both
morning and evening, extending four to five hours each time, at which
Mantras and Subdas of Jambheswarji are recited. Women keep awake
all the night singing religious songs. All the expenses are borne
out of donations comprising mainly Ghee, Moth and cash received
at the time. Moth is stored and utilised for feeding the pigeons
and birds all the year round and Ghee is used for performance of Hayan
on the occasion of the fair and afterwards.

Kolavat Fair — The name of Kolayat, a place of pilgrimage,
originates from the Sanskrit word Kapilayatan. The mythological
account of Kapilayatan as narrated in Skandh Puran, records that
Maharishi Kardam, the son of Brahma, the creator of the Universe,
married Devhuti, the daughter of Manu. She gave birth to Kapil Muni
the propounder of the Sankhya system of Hindu philosophy. While
journeying towards north-east Kapil Muni was bewitched by the
natural beauty of this place and chose it for performing Tapsya (penance)
for the redemption of the world. It is said that the saint did not
remain there with his whole atma (soul) as only a fraction of it
remained at the oasis and the remaining part proceeded on its original
errand towards the north-east. But as the great saint had selected this
oasis as the place for his penances, it was named after him as
Kapilayatan.

In course of time this place acquired great sanctity and the gods
are believed to have felt jealous of it, as they thought that instead of
under-going untold hardships that were inevitable in performing the

1. Jambheshwariji, also known as Jambha Devji, Jambh Rishi or Jambhajl was
born at Pipasar, 16 kilometres from Mukam on Bhadrapada Krishna 8, Vikram
Samvat 1508 (1451 A.D.). His father was one Jhabar Lohat of the Panwar clan
of Rajputs. It is believed that Jambheshwarji was born in the thirty-second
Ecneration in the direct line of the celebrated King Vikramaditya. He died in
Mukam and was buried. Census of India, 1961, Vol. XIV, Rajasthan Part VI-A,
yUIoge Surrey Monographs MukUm, 1965.

People

117

penances and sacrifices, or undertaking hazardoiis journeys to places of
pilgrimage, like Ayodhya, Kasi, Puri, Dwarika, Kanchi, Avantika etc.,
people would attain redemption by taking an easy course of having
a dip in the lake of Kapilayatan. They, therefore, planned to shift
into the sandy desert but Skandh Deo, the son of God Shanker and
Goddess Parvati, and the Conimander-in-Chief of the armies of the
gods, took pity on the suffering humanity and brought this sacred
place to light for the benefit of all and sundry, so that they might
attain the summum bonum of life in this dark age of Kali by having a
dip in its holy water. Great sanctity thus is attached to a bath in the
Kolayat lake. It remains open for pilgrimage all the year round but
great religious merit is attached to it in the month of Kartik especially
the last five days of the month, known as Bhishma Panchak, which are
more sanctimonious than the others. To take a dip on the Kartik
Purnima, is considered to be the most auspicious.

On this day a fair is held at Kolayat, and the villagers around
participate in it with great gusto and never forget to have a dip in the
lake and pay their homage by visiting the temple of Kapil Muni. The
Kolayat lake with its mystic tradition has a magical effect on the
minds of the simple people and they reveal in singing songs in its praise
deep in religious ecstasy.

The significant feature of the fair is Deep Malika, the lighted
lamps of atta (flour) are made to swim in rows in the tank, which
presents a fascinating spectacle. It is also considered auspicious. A
large number of people ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 participate in
the fair. < f

Desunoke Fair. — This fair is held on Chait Sudi Ist-IOth and on
Ashvina Sudi isr-lOthin honour ofKarntji, a Charan women who is said
to have possessed supernatural powers. The Royal House of Bikaner,
Rajputs and other communities also have great reverence for Kami
Mata who had blessed Bika with success in his mission. The temple
of Karniji at Dcshnoke is famous throughout Rajasthan and people
from all parts pay their homage to solicit her blessings. The white
rats, called Kavas arc' held in great reverence at the -temple and arc
regularly nourished. Appro.xiraatcly 30,000 people usually assemble at
the fair.

Tebj Fair— U is held twice a year once in SavanStidi 3 in
Damanion ka Chowk, Bikaner and the other in Bhadon BadiTeejot Kajli

118

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

TeeJ near Junagarh fort. The main feature of this fair is the procession
of Gori from Junagarh fort to the Chautina well, which is attended by
thousands of people.

Shiv Bari Fair — It is celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva on the
7th, 8th, 9th and 10th days of bright half of the month of Savan and on
all Mondays of that month, to pay homage to the Lord known as
Laleshwar. In fact, the whole of the month of Savan is replete with
fairs and feasts as it is very pleasant to go to Shivbari and to have a
dip in the tank, which is full to its brim in the monsoon season and
echoes the sentiments of the inhabitants in their often repeated phrase
Savan Bikanerro.

Naginiii Fair — The image of Devi Naginiji was brought from
Jodhpur, and it is said that as it was being brought, the vehicle stuck
fast to the spot where the temple now stands. Believing that the Devi
desired the temple to be built there, it was constructed at that place. In
commemoration of the Devi, a fair is held on Dhabi Amavas of Bhadon
and is attended by about 10,000 people, mainly Brahmans.

Nar Singh Chatordashi Fair — It is held on Baisakh Sudi 14
simultaneously at Lakhotion-ka-Chowk and Dogon>ka-Chowk,
Bikaner, in honour of Prahlad, who made his father Hiranya Kashyapa
realise the powers of God. A sort of one-act play is staged wherein
God-half lion and half human in form of Narsing Avatar is depicted
rescuing Prahlad from the tyranny of his father by tearing open his
abdomen. It is attended by about 20,000 persons.

Sujandesar Fair — This is held at Sujandesar annually on the
10th and 11th day of the bright half of the month of Bhadon in honour
of Ramdeoji, and is attended by about 10,000 persons.

Kenyara Fair — This is held at village Kenyara in tahsil
Lonkaransar on Magh Sudi 10 in honour of Ramdevji.

Jetha Bhutta Fair — ^This is held at Gajner on the 8th day of
bright half of the month of Ashvina in commemoration of Jetha Bhutta,
who was a sepoy believed to be gifted with supernatural powers and
became a Pir after his death. The Muslims gather at his Mazar to get
blessings.

Kodemdesar .Pair — This is held on Bhadwa Sudi 14, at
Kodemdesar in tahsil, Kolayat to pay homage to Bhaironji, The temple

People

119

is said to have been built by Rao Bika, the founder of Bikaner city.
People go to the tensple especially for performing Mtmdan ceremony
(shaving of head) of their children.

Ridmalsar Fair — Held at Ridmalsaf on Asoj Siidi 7 in the
memory of a Bbati Rajput girl who immolated herself. People gather
there to pay homage to the Mitrti (idol) of Satiji.

Dada-JI-ka-Mela — It is a Jain fair held at Nal and Udramsar,
on Bhadon Sudi i 5.

Dance

Among the Marwari women, dancing has always been a popular
pastime. There are many varieties of folk dances in their repertoire,
and their activities are mostly centered in the city. Ghumer of Bikaner
is famous in which a group of women putting on their colourful skirts
dance in circles, clapping with small sticks. This dance is performed
especially on the Navratra and the Ganger day. Its display is full of
rhythm and charm and presents an attractive spectacle. Jhumer is s.
group dance in which the women dangle on their heads ornaments
and flowers.

The Dandiya-Ras Nritya is also a danee. It is performed by
a group of dancers, dancing in a circle and holding long sticks. The
drummer takes his position in the centre of the circle with the drum
hanging round his neck and sets the rhythm and pace of the dance. It
begins with slow shuffling steps, but as the drum beats become faster, the
steps grow swifter. The dance goes on round and round, arms waving
and feet moving in step. Interspersed with the joyful exclamation of
IIo, E( , by the dancers to lighten the emotional tempo, it is an eloquent
and rhythmical expression of the feeling of joy and exhultation at the
ringing out of the old season and ringing in of the new, and at the
successful end of wintry toil by the sons of the soil. It is specially'
pcrfoimcd on the eve of Holi festival.

The Sidh jats of the Thar Desert have their fire dance, v/hich
they perform around fire, during Riarch-April at Mela (fair) held in
honour of Guru Jasnath at Katariyasar to the accompaniment of songs,
drums and pipes to commemorate Guru Gorakhnalh. Among some
communities like Bhahgis, Sansis, Mcghwals, etc. women dance on
raardages and festive occasions which arc more an expression of their
joy and enthusiasm rather than any diplay of the art of rhythm.

120

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Music

Both local and classical music have always been patronised in
the area. The local music consists of Bhajan and Kirtan, heroic songs
by professional bards and love songs of Dholans. Among the classical
musicians Kiriamyas most of whom are from the Goswami community,
hold a prominent place. The other musicians of the classical school
are Mirasis, Tawaifs and Bhagtans. With the exception of songs of
professional bards, the local music is still very popular. The special
feature of the local music in the rural area of the district is that songs
are sung to the accompaniment of Chang (a round musical instrument
made of sheep-skin and played by hand). The classical music is fast
losing its attraction and the light music is taking its place in popular
appeal. The rags and raginis enjoyed in the district are Mand, Loom
and Holi. Kamadias sing Pabuji-ke-Bhope on maat.

Folk lore

The folk lore singers have been always customarily assembling
on the occasions of fairs and festivals to earn their livelihood by the
singing of traditional songs. Dholis and Dooms are the most well
versed communities in this form of musical fare. The striking peculiarity
of Bikaner folk-lore is Tlmmat for full week during Holi celebrations.
Popular folk songs in the district relate to the exploits of Bika and
Amar Singh.

Songs

There is no significant event in the life span of the common man
in the district which is not accompanied by songs to highten his
pleasure or relieve his pang. There are various songs associated with
every ceremony, festival, season and eventful moment. Women do
most, of the singing as a pastime which helps them a great deal in
assuaging the unremitting humdrum toil of their lives.

Amusements

Sports and Games — In the rural areas, Kabbaddi, Mar pari,
GUIi-danda, Lathi exercises, Ankh Michoni and Khoh arc popular games.
The man indoor games of the villages arc Chauper, cards and Charbhar.

The principal sports played in the urban areas are foot-ball,
volley-ball, hockey, tennis and cricket, the last three being played in
Bikaner city only. Gymnastic exercises and athletics are also a regular
feature of spor?s Hfe. The popular indoor games are table-tennis

People

121

(mainly in city), chess, carrom and Chaupar. The popularity of games
and sports is on the increase as is evident from several tournaments
organised, mostly by educational institutions, or games and sports
organisations; and especially under the auspices of School Athletic
Association, Bikaner, throughout the year. Bikaner has the proud
distinction of having one of the biggest stadiums in the State with a
seating capacity for 40,000 spectators.

Other Recreation — Apart from the common social and
religious festivals and fairs which occur during the various seasons and
months of the year, the people in the rural areas do not generally have
any special mode of recreation except assembling in groups at some
common place to indulge in light conversation. Women hardly have
any mode of recreation except gossiping at Pan^hat where they go in
numbers to fetch water, or enjoy singing folk-songs according to the
season. The rainy season is the most alluring one for recreation and
swinging-a cherished enjoyment.

Ram lila, Bhajan, Kirtans from Ramayan and Mababbarat, and
Kathputli (puppet) demonstrations are also popular means of
recreations in the rural areas provided by intinerant performers. During
recent years radio sets have been provided by the panebayat samitis
in some villages where people listen to news and musical broadcasts
with interest. Field publicity units also sometimes arrange film shows.
Reading rooms and mobile libraries are new features which also provide
facilities for recreation.

Puppets — ^The Kathputli (puppets) shows are very popular among
the rural people. The puppets usually tell a story of some legendry
hero. In this show Kathputli player holds a string in his hands and
manipulates the various movements of the wooden dolls to depict
the story.

Cinemas — Cinema is becoming increasingly popular in urban
areas. In Bikaner city there arc three Cinema-houses namely, Ganga
Theatre, Vishwa Jyoti and Prakash Chitra. Ganga Theatre is owned
and controlled by the State Government and the other two are run
privately. "No other town in the district has a permanent cinema
house.

Clubs — The notable clubs in Bikaner arc the Sadul Club,
Bikaner Sporting Club, Railway Club, West Rajasthan and the Golf
Club. The Sadul Club is one of the famous clubs in Rfsjasthan.

122

Rajasthan District Gazetteers —Bikaner

It has tennis courts, squash courts, billiards, skating-rink, table-tennis,
a piano and a dancing hall, besides a number of other means of
amusements, desired by club goers.

Impact of Recent Social and Economic Changes

The structure of the old social order has under gone a significant
change and is passing through a phase of disintegration. Formerly,
the social set-up was mostly feudal, and in the rural areas revolved
round the central figure of iht ihakiir orthtfbig Jaghifdar \vho was
the kingpin of local life. The end of royalty, the iritfoductioh of
agrarian reforms, tlib abolition of jaghirdari, the establishment' of the
district administration on the lines' of the provinces' of the former
British India, the reorganisation of local self-goVefnlrient and the rieii^
system of the panchayati raj launched by Democractic Decentralisation
Scheme, have all had a powerful impact on' the social set-up. Thfe
feudal lords have lost their privileged status- in society and have
considerable difficulty in adapting thehiselVcs to’ the new eiiiefging
pattern of life. The landless workers have begun to own the land,
they cultivate. The common man has acquired the right to exercise
his vote to elect the representative of his own choice to look after the
affairs of the State. The increasing educational facilities and the
growing political consciousness among all classes and castes of people
has accelerated the process of dissolution- of the traditional society.
At the same time, it cannot be, gain said that the changes so apparent
on the surface, have been slow to percolate to the tradition-ridden
minds of some of the people, and as a sequence, the votaries of the old
crumbling social' order still comraandVespect and privile^. This factor
has been phychologically helpful to them' in defying' the inc’vitable
process'of socio-political readjusthifedt.

Some of the ex-jaghirdars have also not fully adjusted themselves
to the change. A few of them are seeking employment or looking for
other professibns. This'social up-heaval has caused great suffering to
the retainers and hangers on of the oli order, who found themselves
without any new moorings. The professional musicians for instance,
who earned their livelihood by singing and dancing or composing songs
in praise of the jaghirdar, and the chararis, the" bards, who used'tb
compile exaggerated histories applauding the landed aristocracy and
depended for their livelihood on their patronage, find themselves
without ostensible means of livelihood. The changes brought about
by the progressive evolution of social order,.have benefited the common

People

123

man to a considerable extent. He is now able to own land, improve
his economic condition as a result of various measures sponsored under
the developmeiit programme, and has acquired ^ sense of dignity.
With the increase in the wants of the people n?^ articles of consumption
and daily use, have found their way into tb® villages, and generally
speaking, people there now enjoy a higher standard of living.

In the social sphere, the caste system i? fnst losing its old rigidity
and the disintegrating process has begun. The old taboos regarding
dress, food and types of dwellings, have mostly disappeared and a new
social freedom and equality, is gradually emerging. Several castes
and communities who were debarred in the old order from following a
profession other than that of their fore-fathers, have recently taken to
■^carneh prolessipns auh mhus'ifijh anh comurcrcrJi -pursuVcs. Tne
tendency to separate from the joint family is fnst growing in the urban
areas as the old family ties and loyalties are weakening.

CHAPTER IV

AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

General

The general feature of this district with its elevation varying
from 400 to 1200 feet above sea-level,i is a vast sandy plain interspersed
with sand-dunes and sand hills. Most of the sand-dunes are found in
the west of Bikaner tahsil and north of Lunkaransar. Only a few of
them keep moving and the rest are fairly stabilised with trees and-
shrubs already growing on them. The height of these sand-dunes
varies from five to a hundred feet. With average annual rainfall
of 259.6 mm (10.22 inches’), there is hardly any forest worth the
name. South of the Bikaner City there is a considerable tract covered
with brush- wood, which when green during and after rains, gives the
impression of a growing young forest. This is called “Jorbir”. The
whole of this sandy tract, however, turns immediately after rains into '
a beautiful vast green expanse, covered with the richest and the most
succulent grasses, making the district one of the best pasture lands in
the country. The area under tahsil Kolayat which is located in the
south-west of the district has different physical features, as its former
mmt Magra which in the local dialect means hard, suggests. The soil
of this tahsil is level, firm and somewhat stony, but fairly productive
under good rain-fall.

According-to 1961 Census, 22.33 per cent of the people of the
district as shown below, were engaged in agriculture directly or indirectly
as against 36.95 per cent of the population of the State as a whole.2

Items

Bikaner
district 1961

Percentage

Raiastban

1961

Percentage

Total Population

4,44,515

2,01,55,602

Males

2,32,699

1,05,64,(182

Females

2,11,816

95,91,520

Agricultural Population

(i) Cultivators

98,306

22.11

70,55,079

35.00

Males

57,962

42,05,067

Females

40,344

28,50,012

(ii) Agricultural Labourers 962

0.22

3,93,631

1.95

Males

653

2,30,193

Females

309

1,63,438

1. Census of India, 1961, RSJaslhSn District Census Handbook, Bikaner, p. iii.

2, Census of India, 1961, Vol, XIV, Rajasthan, Part H-B (/), General Economic Tables,

Agriculture and Irrigation

125

Co-operative Movement

The co-operative movement in the erstwhile Bikaner State was
started as early as 1920 with a view to diminishing rural indebtedness,
promoting thrift and self-help among agriculturists, artisans and other
persons of limited means, and bringing credit facilities within their
reach. In order to help the landholders in time of need with compara-
tively larger loans for improvement of their holdings, a Land Mortgage
Central Co-operative Bank was started on 20th September, 1930.

There were 117 agricultural credit and multi-purpose societies
with a membership of 3,953 as on 30th June, 1960.1

The progress of agricultural credit and agricultural non-credit
societies is indicated below during the Third Five Year Plan.2

1561-62 19 62-6 3 1963-6 4 1964-65 1965-66

Type of Societies j,}o. Member- No. Member- No. Mcmbei-No. Member- No. Member-
ship ship ship ship ship ■

Agricultural • w

Credit 153 8,856 157 10,441 168 11,291 184 13,280 186 :r6’,237

Agricultural .

non-Credit 20 323 24 389’ 23 430 .23 430 22,. • 350

There was one farming society with'a'^membership of 13 at the
end of the year 1965-66.

Afforestation

During the Second Five Year Plan, special attention was paid to
the plantation of trees on the rail routes, and road sides. Other
land was also brought under plantations to maintain the soil fertility
by checking the movement of sand. During the Second Five Year
Plan period an amount of Rs. 2.56 lakhs was spent on the forest and
soil conservation schemes in the district. During the Third Five Year
Plan period an amount of Rs. 39 thousand was spent on the forest
development in the district. The area under forests stood at 1 1 thousand
hectares at the end of the year 1965-66.

1. Sraiisticst Abstract, RSjaslhita, 1951, p. 16S.

2. Sanisticst Abstract, Ritjastban, yearly volumes for various years.

126

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

IRRIGATION

The main problem of the district is the lack of irrigation
facilities. As stated earlier no perennial or semi-perennial river flows

,.1 ' <• ‘ • / * • I ‘ 1 v'j . ' .

through it. There is practically no surface run off except in the case of
a few nullahs which have been impounded. The undpr^ground water
which is the main source of supply both for drinking and other purposes
is generally found at a mmimiirn depth of about 90 to 100 metres below
the surface and even there percolation is so scanty that continuous

• I ^ 1 1 » • I ' ' ' ' V ' ’ ' I ' 1 i • f ^ '

drawing of water by a power driven machine would render it dry after
a few hours. In some places the water is so saline and brackish as
would be harmful not only to humans but also to the cattle and is
therefore u nfit for irrigation purposes. Due to inadequate and erratic
rainfall the cultivable waste is difficult to put under the plough to any
significant' extent.

Irrigation by Lakes & Tanks

Most of the iinportant lakes and tanks of the district are
situated in the Magra area. "We have already given some of their
details in a previous'^ chapter. From the irrigation point of view, they
are hardly of much significance.

Gainer Lake — ^This is an artificial lake at Gajner with a capacity
of 50 mcft. of water. The catchment area of this lake is about 129.5
sq. km. (50 sq. miles) and is fecT by local streams. It belongs" to the
Maharaja and its water is used mainly for drinking and bathing
purposes and is only sometimes put to irrigation use.

Kolayat Tank — ^This is a natural tank in a wide depression at
Kolayat with water stretching upto two miles. The depth of this
tank is 6.09 metres (20 feet)' and it has a capacity of 100 mcft.
of water. The catchment area is about 194 sq. km. (75 miles) and the
tank is fed by local streams. The water is used principally for bathing
and drinking purposes.

Ganga Sarow Alt Tank — This is another tank situated 17.70 km.
(11 miles) north-west of Gajner village in Kolayat (Magra) tahsil. It
is an artificial lake constructed during the reign of Maharaja Ganga
Singh and named after him. It is 1886.7 metres (6190 feet) long and
the height of the bund is 9.14 metres (30 feet). It has a water
holding capacity of 94 mcft. with a catchment area of 79.5 sq. km.
(30.70 miles) The water of this tank irrigates nearly 873 biglias of land.

Agriculture and Irrigation

127

Bund No. 1 — This is an artificial lake situated near Mandal
village 53.1 km. (33 miles) from Gajner in Kolayat (Magra) tafisil and
constructed during the lefgn of Maharaja Ganga Singh. It is 1575.8
metres (5170 feet) long with its bund 7.6 metres (25 feet) high. Its
water capacity is 50.56 mcft. and catchment area 77.70 sq. km.
(30 sq. miles). Fed by a local stream, it irrigates an area of 500 bighas.

There are a few other small tanks in the district which are as
follows;

1. Mudh Bund — It is situated near Mudh village 16 km.
(10 miles) west of Gajner. It was constructed for utilising surface run
off of Mudh valley for irrigation. Lying breached for many years, it is
not being restored as its bund is spongy and cannot hold water for long.
Its catchment area is 968 sq. km. (374 sq. miles).

2. Bund No. 2 — It is situated near Sankelan village about 24 km.
(15 miles) west of Gajner and was constructed in the early years of
Uiis century for utilising for irrigation, the monsoon flow of local
nullahs in the vicinity. When full, it submerges 54.21 hectares
(134 acres) of land an!d has a catchment area of 6.47 sq. km. (2.50 sq.
miles).

3. Bund No. 3 — It is situated near Bund No. 2. When full,
it submerges 114 acres of land and has a catchment area of 7,8 sq. km.
(3 sq. miles) and a capacity of 7.78 mcft, of water. The bund is kacha
and is used for irrigation purposes.

4. Bund No. 4 — It is also situated near Bund No. 2 and 3 above.
When full, it submerges 139.61 hectares (345 acres) of land and has a
catchment area of 5.2 sq. km. (2 sq. miles) and a capacity of 38.43
mcft. of water.

5. Dadar Tank — It is situated near Godah village. When full,
it submerges an area of 93.07 hectares (230 acres) and irrigates 40.5
hectares (IhO acres). The catchment area is 15.28 sq. kra. (5.90 sq. miles)
and capacity 12.30 mcft. of water.

6. Sallta TANK~It is situated near Gndah village, 24 to 32 km.
tl5 to 20 miles) west of Gajner. Its capacity is 13.50 mcft. and catch-
ment area 11.66 sq.km. (4.50 sq. miles). It irrigates about 20.23
hectares (50 acres) of land.

128

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

7. Khudi Tank— It is also situated near Gndah village, 24 km.
to 32 km. (15 to 20 miles) west of Gajner. The capacity of this tank
is 5.30 mcft. of water and the catchment area is 3.89 sq. km. (1.50 sq.
mites). It irrigates an area of 10.11 hectares (25 acres) and when full
submerges an area of 22.66 hectares (56 acres).

8. Jhinjhiniya Tank — It is situated near Bithnok, 34 km.
(21 miles) west of Gajner. The capacity of this tank is 13.80 mcft. of
water and the catchment area 10.36 sq. metres (4 sq. miles). It
irrigates an area of 20.2 hectares (50 acres) and when full, submerges an
area of 68.79 hectares (170 acres).

9. Kiniya Tank — It is situated near Kiniya Basti, 48 km.
(30 miles) west of Gajner. The water holding capacity of this tank is
14.11 mcft. and the catchment area is 25.9 sq. km. (10 sq. miles). It
irrigates an area of 28.32 hectares (70 acres) and when full, submerges
an area of 67.17 hectares (166 acres) of land.

10. Bhatia Tank — It is situated near Bhatia village 58 km.
(36 miles) from Gajner. The water holding capacity of this tank is
6 mcft. and catchment area is 7.77 sq. km. (3 sq. miles). It irrigates an
area of 10.11 hectares (25 acres).

Irrigation by Wells

Since the level of the water varies from 300 to 600 feet, well
irrigation is uneconomical. The area served by wells, therefore, forms
a negligible proportion of the total irrigated area. Whatever little area
is irrigated in the district, by wells (including tube-wells) is for food
crops only. The extent of this during the last few years is indicated
belowt-:

Year

Area (in hectares)

1960-61

1961-62

1962-63

23*

1963-64

58*

1964-65

95*

1965-66

55*

1. Statistical Abstract, Rajasthan, yearly volumes lor various years.
* Includes area irrigated by other sources.

Agriculture and Irrigation

129

There were 20 tube-wells and’ 973 pucca wells in the district,
which were in use during the year 1965-66 for irrigation purposes.
106 wells were lying out of use during the same year. Water from the
wells is lifted either in leather buckets by employing bullock power or
by electric motor pumps. The number of wells in Bikaner district have
been given in Appendix I.

The people of the district are keenly looking forward to the
completion of the Rajasthan Canal Project which would enter Bikaner
district at village Kharbara in tahsil Lunkaransar and is designed to
terminate at village Charanwala in tahsil Kolayat.

The work on Rajasthan Canal Project is being undertaken in two
phases. In the first phase, in Bikaner district 22 villages of Bikaner
tahsil and 8 villages of Lunkaransar tahsil with an area of 5.18 lac
•acres will be benefited under the Fruit Development Scheme. Since the
Rajasthan Canal Project would benefit mainly the western part of the
Bikaner district, a scheme of lift irrigation has been sanctioned to
benefit the eastern portion of the district. Under the lift irrigation
scheme 41 villages of Lunkarasar tahsil with an area of 2.59 lac acres
and 35 villages of Bikaner tahsil with an area of 3.93 lac acres will be
benefited. Thus in the first phase of the Rajasthan Canal Project and
through the lift irrigation project 106 villages with an area of 11.70 lac
acres will be benefited.

In the second phase of the Rajasthan Canal Project 82 villages
of Kolayat and Bikaner tahsils of the district with an area of 14.25 lac
acres will be benefited.

Thus, the total area to be benefited through both the phases
of Rajasthan Canal Project and lift irrigation scheme is estimated as
follows:

S.No

Name of the
tahsil

No. of villages to be
benefited

Area to be benefited
tin lac acres)

Bikaner

11.24

Lunkaransar

3.59

Kolayat

11.12

Total 188

25.95

Apart from the irrigation benefits from the Rjijasfhiin Canal
Project, other development programmes like agriculture, animal husban-
dry, industries, colonisation, drinking water supply, communications,

130

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

medical and social services etc. which will be implemented in the area,
will benefit the district.

SOIL EROSION

In the district soil erosion is mainly caused by winds. To check
soil erosion a scheme was introduced in the Third Five Year Plan by
posting an Assistant Soil Conservation Officer in Naukha. The main
works undertaken under the scheme are kana bundi, stable mulching,
ploughing, strip cropping, field bunding and levelling etc.

During the year 1964-65 an area of 536 hectares (1,325 acres)
was brought under Med bundi, 10,348 hectares (25,571 acres) under
Kana bundi, 7,723 hectares (19,085 acres) under Bar bundi and
6,770 hectares (16,730 acres) under Stable mulching. During the year
1965-66, Med bundi was done on 266 hectares (658 acres), Kana bundi
on 31,374 hectares (77,526 acres) Bar bundi on 6,522 hectares (16,109
acres) and Stable mulching on 2,746 hectares (6,785 acres).

AGRICULTURE

Soil and Crops

The soil of the district is more or less totally sand except in a few
villages where it is loam with shifting sand dunes. Due to scarcity of
rains, the vegetative cover on the surface and organic matter in the soil
is liable to wind erosion, as moisture retentive capacity is nil. Looking
to the geographical and climatic conditions, only barani crops
pai ticularly feo/ra, Jo»rar and pulses like moth and moong are grown.
Wheat, barley and gram are also cultivated if there are timely rains.

Agricultural Operations

Crop pattern has remained largely unchanged over the decades.
The actual ploughing operations begin with the first rain-fall and the
harrowing of the fields is done within three days after it. The beginning
of the monsoon is e.xpected in the later part of Jcth (June). There is
a common saying that on the first day after the end of the month of
Jeth if there is a rumbling of clouds in the sky the next two months of
Asadli and Shrawan would go dry and rain could not be expected before
the month of Bhadon^ It is also commonly believed that it is inauspi-
cious to plough fields on Tuesdays. Wednesdays are considered good for
ploughing and Thursdays for harvesting.^

1. Sts sftdV 1 ^

*ntTT?- eran to 5% ^

2. swtffi ctranl

Agriculture and Irrigation

131

Agricultural operations are started by harrowing the fields twice;
first lengthwise, and then crosswise. When new land. is to be brought
under the plough, bushes and shrubs are first removed. The ground is
then roughly levelled by Suhage. The cleanine process is called Sur.
The first of the ploughings is called cheer, second chank and the third
bijari. A bullock ploughs one acre while a pair of bullocks or a camel
can plough two acres per day. Nidan (weeding) is done when seedlings
are about 15 to 20 cms. high. A harrow is passed between the rows of
young plants to remove weeds.

Agricultural Crops

Bajra — Bajra is the most important crop of the district. Sown
in an area of 2,26,305 hectares during the year 1965-66, it also excels in
quality. It is grown both in irrigated and dry lands in all the tahsils
and it thrives well if there is timely rainfall. The tilling and soil
preparation is begun by the end of March and finished by the end of
April.

It is sown as early as Jeth (May-June) but the more usual sow-
ing time is Asadh-Sawan (from the middle of June to that of August).
When it is sown after the end of July, yield is generally poor. It is
neither irrigated (except in canal area where one or two irrigations
arc given if rains fail) nor manured but ripens quickly, i. e. within
three months. 20th August to 15th September is the normal period for
inter-culture (weeding and hoeing) and harvesting is done by the end
of September to end of October. Bajra is the staple food of the people
and the stalks {Karbi) are used for fodder and thatching purposes.

In 1950-51, Bajra covered an area of 15,913 hectares out of 64,652
hectares of the total cultivated area in that year. It rose to 130,130
hectares during 1956-57 out of 351,397 hectares of the total cultivated
area during that year. The production of Bajra in the district was 6,695
tonnes during 1956-57 which rose to 29,910 tonnes during 1959-60. Its
production during 1960-61 (the last year of the Second Five Year Plan)
was 10,888 tonnes which increased to 29,113 tonnes during 1962-63
with an increase of area under its cultivation from 1,86,812 hectares
during 1960-6! to 1,98,297 during 1962-63. 1963-64 was a bad year
in as much as the area under cultivation fell to 1,85,423 hectares and
the production of Bajra was only 831 tonnes. During the year 1965-66
the area under cultivation of this crop was 2,26,305 hectares and the
production was 10,146 tonnes.

132

Rajasthan District Gazetteers—Blkaner

JowAR— /fliwr or great millet is not commonly sown in the
district as it requires a rather stiff soil. It is generally sown
later than Bajra and takes longer to mature and also some-times
needs irrigation. It is mostly sown for fodder purposes and fof
seed for the next year. Its seed rate is usually 6 to 8 pounds per
acre, is sown in June-July and is harvested in October-November.
Under normal conditions its grain yield is 1200 lbs. to 3500 lbs. of
dry fodder per acre. Jowar for fodder is sown thickly in April-May
and is ready by the end of May to be generally used as a green
fodder.

The area under Jowar was only 10 hectares during 1950-51 which
rose to 1,508 hectares in 1956-57. Its production during 1956-57 was
367 tonnes, which fell to a mere 14 tonnes during 1965-66, the area
under the crop in the later year being 859 hectares.

Wheat — This is sown in irrigated areas and occupied 164 hec-
tares during 1956-57 showing a small increase from 109 hectares during
1950-51. But this area is negligible as compared to the total cropped
area. The ploughing and soil preparation is done between 20th April and
lOih May and from 10th September to 15th November respectively. The
sowing is done from 20th October to 15th December and harvesting
from KUh April to 15th May. The first watering is given at the time of
sowing and 3 to 7 irrigations arc given each at an interval of about
three weeks. The seed rate is 40 to 50 pounds per acre and the yield
about 1600 pounds per acre. Natural manures are generally used but
with the efforts of the Department of Agriculture, the cultivators have
started the use of Chemical fertilisers, viz.. Ammonium Sulphate where
ever irrigation facilities are available.

Pulses — The pulses include Mash or Urd, moong, moth and gram.
These pulses except gram, arc generally sown mixed with bajra, jowar
and cotton. Gram is sown mostly with wheat or barley. A species of
the kidney bean called moth (Phaseolus aconitifolius) comes next in
importance to Bajra. This can be sown up to the middle of September
and takes sixty days to ripen. It thrives best in a light soil. The yield
per acre is much the same as that of Bajra and the stalks [Gum) leaves
and pods [Palo.si) supply good fodder for camels. These are used as
vegetables and as split dal when ripe.

Fruits ard Vegetables— The principal fruits are the water
melon (Afatira) and a coarse type of melon called Kakri. The former

Agriculture and Irrigation

133

spring into existence during the rains and are so plentiful that great
quantities are thrown to the cattle; the seeds are pounded into a kind
of flour which is mixed with that of cereals^ For this fruit, Elphin-
stonet wrote thus: “In the midst of so arid a country, the water melon
the most juicy of fruits, is found in profusion. It is really a subject of
wonder to see melons, three or four feet in circumference, growing from
a stalk as slender as that of a common melon in the dry sand of the
desert. They are sown and perhaps require some cultivation, but they are
scattered about to all appearance as if they grew wild. The natives
assert that a large melon suffices to allay the thirst of a horse and his
rider.” Among vegetables, raddish {Midi) is most easily raised.

Oil Seeds — The oil seeds grown in this area include Til (Sesa-
mum idium) in autumn and sarson or mustard and taramera and rape
seed in spring. Mustard is not very common but sesamum is cultivated
on a large scale, occupying about 4 per cent of the total cropped area
during 1965-66. This is often sown together with some other kliarif
crops and, as it requires little tillage and no irrigation and weeding, it
is a popular crop sown in July-August and harvested in September-
October. The seed is used for extracting oil.

There is practically no rabi cultivation in Bikaner district but
in some pockets of Kolayat tahsil where some water is available culti-
vation of wheat and barley only is done.

The area and production of principal crops in the district are
given in Appendix II.

Manures

Soil of the district is deficient in Nitrogen and to some extent
in Super-Phosphate. These deficiencies cannot be made good by
the application of Chemical fertilisers duC to want of irrigation.
Traditional manure, however, is applied to the fields. It is formed
by staking together of cow dung, petrified hay and other [house-
hold rubbish and keeping it for some time so that the process of de-
composition sets in. Sometimes cow dung or refuse of sheep and goats
are used as manure even in their natural form. Herds of cattle are
encouraged to graze in fallow fields so that droppings provide natural
manure to the fields. During the year 1965-66 manure of compost
pits numbering 2,236 was used, of which 132 were in Bikaner

1. Eritinc, Major K. D., KS.]putSna Ga^etictr, Vol. 1 H-A, pp, 344-345,

134

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Panchayal Samiti, 684 in Naukha, 407 in Kolayat and 1000 in
Lunkaransar.

Crop Rotation

Rotation of crops is hardly known. The fields are sown
for 2 to 3 years continuously till the soil shows signs of exhaustion
when new land is broken or previously abandoned land re-cultivated.
Due to this fact a considerable portion of the holdings of the
cultivators consists of waste or fallow land.

Crop diseases

The main diseases prevailing in the district are, green ear disease
of Bajra and smut of Bajra. These are being controlled by treating
the seed before sowing and by destorying the infected plants. Damage
from these diseases varies from 0.05 to 1 per cent.

Agricultural pests

Locust menace is common in the desert where it finds a congenial
soil for laying eggs. The cultivators project their crops by digging
trenches round their fields, in which the hoppers are buried. Officers of
Anti-locust Department of the Government of India, assisted by the
Revenue authorities, play a great part in destroying locusts and hoppers.

Other local pests which cause considerable damage to the crops
arc (1) Grass hoppers, (2) Babel, (3) Gram cut worm and (4) Rats,
Damage from these pests is about 5 to 8 per cent. Rats are being
eradicated by poison baits, prepared by mixing one tola Zinc Phosphate,
4 tolas of bin and 20 tolas of flour. Grass hoppers, white ants, Katra,
Babel and gram cut worms are being controlled by application of
Bcngene Hexa Chloride. Babel may also be controlled by light traps.

Departmental Activities.

Since there is no large scale cultivation, no separate office of the
Agriculture Department has been ‘established here. The District
Agriculture Officer, Churu, is looking after this district. Only one
Plant Protection Unit, consisting of a Plant Protection Supervisor and a
Plant Protection Field Assistant, has been established in Bikaner. The
Department, in association with the Panchayat Samitis is trying to
improve production by suggesting better methods of cultivation
through actual demonstrations, distribution of better seeds, application
of -anurcs and by taking steps to eradicate various pests and diseases.

Agriculture and Irrigation

135

Some of the important achievements in this respect arc given in
Appendix III.

Agricultural Implements

The agricultural implements used in the district are still mainly
traditional, the more important of them being ploughs, harrows,
levellers, clod-crushers, seed drills and hoes. The clod-crusher {kurli)
is a heavy and flat piece of wood about 15 cms. thick and 80 cms. wide
with varying length. It is dragged over the fields by bullocks to level
the ground and gather the weeds. The indigeneous plough leveller etc.
are made of wood and the seed drill is made of bamboo. Besides,
there are several hand tools used in agricultural operations, such as
Kurhad or Kudali (axe) Kttladi (pich-axe), Phawada (spade), Khurpi
(weeding hoes), Dantili (sickle). Karate (bill-hoek), Panar (crow-bar) and
the Dantli (rab with teeth). They are generally made by the village
carpenter or the blacksmith.

During the 1961 Census, the Superintendent Census Operations,
Rajasthan conducted special economic studies of two villages; viz.,
Mukam and Mudh in the Bikaner district. From these studies it was
observed that the plough used was not much diSerent from that in vougc
in the other parts of the State. It consists of a thick curved wooden
piece of a sufiiciently heavy log of the kikar wood, pointed at both
ends. The entire body of the plough is about 1 metre high. The bend
in its middle divides it into two equal parts. In the centre there is a
hole in which the hal is fitted. The lower part of the plough is fitted ,
with an iron part, halbani which is held fast by an iron choat
(iron piece). The hal is a straight pole which differs in length according
as it is to be driven by a pair of bullocks or a camel. In the former case
the length is about 1.5 metres and in the latter about 3 metres. The
draught pole is held in position by a small wooden piece gangda and at
the other end by an iron kill. A yoke is fastened to the farther end of
the pole and is driven by a pair of bullocks. If the plough is intended
to be driven by a camel, the draught pole is attached to a frame work
called pinjdi fastened tightly to the saddle which rests on the hump of
the camel. The movements of the camel are regulated by a pair of
strings which are fastened to a small wooden piece passing through the
perforated nose of the camel. In the case of light sandy soils only one
bullock is sufiicient to till the ground. In this case the mechanism
differs from the one used for a pair of bullocks. Instead of one draught
pole there are two thinner poles which arc attached to the plough by

136

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

pieces of wood called iadiyas and attached to the plough by bagada.
At the other end is a fixed semi-circular wooden piece known as jamanta
which rests on the neck of the bullock. The halbani (plough share)' is
fixed to the inner side of the lower end of the plough. It is about
30 cms. long, slightly pointed at the lower end and resembles a spear
head. It is affixed to the lower part of the plough and slightly overlaps
it at the tapering end. When the plough is moved forward, the halbani
is tightly pressed against the wooden body. At the time of sowing, a
becjani (drill) is attached to it. It is a bamboo tube fastened to the
plough in such a way that its lower end is just a few cms. behind the
plough share. The seeds fall through the tube into the furrow and are
covered with soil when the next furrow is drawn.

The following table indicates the number of agricultural imple-
ments and machinery in use in the district at the time of 1966 livestock
Census! :

Implements

Bikaner

In Tahsil

Kolayat LOnkaransar

Naukha

Total

Ploughs
(i ) Wooden

11,291

12.207

10,586

16,823

50,907

(ii) Iron

Carts

3,067

2,687

229

5,031

11,014

Glianis

126

Oil Engines with pumps
for irrigation purposes

Tractors

Electric pumps for
irrigation purposes

Seeds

The Jakharana bajra seed is suitable for this area. Durina the
year 1965-66, 461 maunds of improved seeds of 60 maunds of

wheat, 200 maunds of Moth and 13$ lbs. of vegetables were distributed
through the Agriculture Department. There arc three seed stores one
each at the Bikaner, Ltinkaransar and Naukha but there i.s no seed
multiplication farm in the district.

1. Report of the Uvestnek Census of Rajasthan, 1966, pp. 236-37

Agriculture and Irrigation

137

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND FISHERIES
Animal Husbandry

Fodder — In the absence of adequate irrigation facilities, people
in the district have to depend on the rainfall even for fodder needs of
their animals. Local grasses which are highly nutritious spring up in
the district even when a small rainfall comes and then there is no
scarcity of fodder.- Besides, spontaneous growth of trees and bushes
acts as ‘green meat’ or fodder. Famine, however, is a frequent feature
as rains do fail in some part of the district every now and then. During
famine years, fodder has to be imported from outside. People also
migrate with their cattle in search of food and fodder.

The types of grass mainly grown here for fodder purposes are :
Sawan, Bitaitrt, Dhaman, Latpati, Karbi, Phalgati and Char a (Moth).

Livestock — According to 1951 Census the total number of livestock
stood at 570,774 which increased to 949,024 during 1956 but fell down
to 903,740 during 1961. Table given in the Appendix IV gives details
of the figures relating to the years 1961 and 1966. The district is famous
for the breeds of its cattle. We find here cows of Ratbi and Sahiwal
breeds and bullocks of the famous Nagauri extraction. The north
western portion of the district, where animal' husbandry constitutes
the mainstay of the people, is said to contain the best sheep. Cows of
Pugal are renowned for their milk.

Nagauri breed animals are also found in this district and have
great stamina and surefootedness in work on medium heavy soils or in
pulling heavy weights Being leggy, they arc very good and fast
trotters. They arc famous for their speed in the carts, and rafhs
(Chariots) too. They are in demand in all parts and particularly
northern Slates of India and fetch more price than any other breed
of cattle, as they can pull heavy loads, draw water from deep wells and
also because of their capacity to plough lands with heasw loamy and
clay soils. The average price of a male calf of about R years is
approximately Rs. 1000 and that of the fully grown good bullock,
about Rs 1300,

Cattle are a source of income in various ways of which the
principal are, the sale of heifcis, bullcalves and buffaloes and also
g/av. Buffaloes arc more valuable than cows as they yield more milk
and ghee, bat they do hot thrive on brackish v/atcr. A cow, with fair

138

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

grazing, yields milk for about 100 grams of ghee per day for six months
and a buffalo, 150 grams for eight ti nine months. The young stock of
cows and buffalloes {Bachri or Jhoti) are always reared. Male calves
arc generally kept for 3 to 4 years and then sold to travelling traders
or at a fair. The buffalo male calves (jhotas) are also sold as beasts of
burden.

The district almost holds a monopoly in the production of good
camels not only in Rajasthan, but also in India. This animal, roughly
called a ship of the desert, has also proved its utility in the rest of the
country. In addition to its use in agricultural operations, it is employed
for carrying loads in hilly areas as well. There are two varieties of
camels in Rajasthan; one known as Jaisalmeri is noted for riding pur-
poses and the other known as Bikaneri for carrying heavy loads. Local
camels when compared to their counterparts elsewhere have less hair
and are light in weight. This facilitates quick speed without any strain,
on the rider. The average weight of a fully grown camel of Jaisalmeri
breed is 1200 lbs. and that of Bikaneri, 1500 lbs. Their height is 7' and
8|' respectively. They cover 30 and 25 miles per day respectively.
Camel wool is used in the manufacture of strings and it gives a fair
return. The skin is used in making jars and big bottles for keeping
ghee and oil. The camels also serve as carriers of grain and water. .

A Camel Development Scheme was started in the district in 1959
with the aid of Indian Council of Agricultural Research. To improve
their breed a camel breeding farm has been established at Jorbir, about
10 km. from Bikaner, and improved Bikaneri camels are kept, to cater
to the needs. The purpose of this scheme is to produce nucleus herd
of high pedigree Bikaneri camels for bringing an improvement in the
existing stock.

Marwari goats of Bikaner are known for their good yield of milk
and mutton. They are generally black in colour. They are very heavy
with a dressed carcase of 50 lbs. on an average. Their hair is also a
valuable commodity as it is spun into coarse thread, yarn or string and
is mostly used for making sacks for carrying various goods on donkeys
and camels. ... - ’

Sheep play a very important role in the economy of the
district. Sheep rearing is one of the principal occupations of the people.
Most of ' them arc bred for dual purpose i.e. mutton and wool. The
heaviest type is called Conadi and is famous for its high yield of mutton
and good milk, rich in butter contents upto 10 per cent. Ghee (fat) is
manufactured from its milk and is sold in local markets.

Agriculture and Irrigation

139

Magra breed of sheep are found all over the district. They are
generally well built, having , light brown patches round their eyes and
medium sized twisted ears and medium tail. The body weight of ewes
is 50 to 65 lbs. and that of rams from 70 to 75 lbs. The wool grown
per year (sheep washed before shearing) is 3 to 5 lbs., and number of
clips is 3. The quality of wool is of medium and coarse grades. The
sheep of Pagal is said to be the best in the district. The shepherds are
either nomadic or very mobile and' move from to place in search, of
water and fodder. It is only in monsoon that they do not move
when plenty of grass and green vegetation is found near home.

There is a Government Sheep Breeding Farm at Koramdesar for
breeding Magra rams and a Woollen Cottage Industries Institute for
processing the wool. There are 11 sheep and wool extension centres in
the district situated at Bikaner, Napasar, Jamsar (Panchunl, Kolayat,
Lunkaransar, Mahajan, Naukha, Gariala, Visalpur, Pagal and
Sattasar. Bikaner, Napasar, Kolayat, Lunkaransar and Naukha
centres were established during the year 1954-55,- while Mahajan,
Jamsar (Panchun), Guriala, Visalpur, Pagal and Sattasar centres were
set up during the year 1962-63. Attempts are being made to improve
the breed of sheep by improving Merino rams from Australia.

, There is one Regional Sheep Research Station for Chokla breed
of sheep at Bikaner where the strength of the livestock at the end of

1965-66 was 592. The main programme of the Research Institute
is fi) to improve Chokla sheep apparel wool by selective breeding, (ii)
to supply farm breeding stocks to .selected village flocks, and_ organise
controlled breeding directed towards improvement of wool quality, (iii)
to study fertility and different characteristics of Chokla sheep, (iv) to
study important problems of sheep husbandry including . nutrition in
relation to wool production in the existing conditions around the Fa^m.
Duririg the year 1962-63, 654,380 kg. of wool was produced from the
twddips from 1,068 animals.

There is also a Wool Analysis Laboratory at Bikaner (i) to
classify wool grown by different breeds of sheep into different grades
and types, (ii) to prepare their standa.'-d sarriples for, helping in visual
grading in the fields (iii) to study, breeds and (iv) to evaluate the
commercial manufactures of graded work of different breeds, their
definition and rdaihn to fibre characteristics.

During the year 1952-63 a sum of Rs. 44,000 was sanctioned

140

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

by the Government for boring of wells and construction of tube wells
and overhead tank at the Sheep Breeding Farm at Koramdesar. 24,636
bales of wool were graded at Bikaner centre during 1956 which was
42.6 per cent of the total wool graded in that year. Bikaneri is the
trade name of this wool.

Sheep and Wool Extensions and Sheep and Wool Development
Schemes sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research are
under operation in Bikaner Panchayat Samiti. The main purposes of
these schemes are (i) to bring about an increase in the overall production
of wool by way of improving quality and quantity of wool produced,
(ii) to secure better percentage of new born lambs of improved varieties
obtained through controlled breeding, (iii) to rear better types of sheep,
(iv) to maintain Ram lambs at the Centres for classification into catego-
ries according to their performance for general distribution among flock
masters, (v) to improve local methods and applications practised by
flock masters/owners in sheep farming and replacement with new scien-
tific methods equipped with current knowledge in sheep husbandry, and
(vi) to eliminate the possible losses due to spread of epidemics in sheep.

For an all-round development of the animal husbandry and to
remove the shortage of improved bulls, a Key Village Scheme was
introduced in this district from 1st July 1958. Under this scheme six
Key Village Units situated at Bichhwal, Rirmalsar, Napasar,
Gangashahr, Barsinghsar and Palana are functioning. Some of the
important achievements under this scheme are indicated below : —

Items

1961-62

1962-63

1963-64

1964-65

1965-66

1. Artificial Inseminations done
Cows

194

207

644

728

826

Buffaloes

—

2. Natural services done :

Cows

577

366

499

781

879

Buffaloes

260

268

456

478

429

3. Animals tested :

Cows

270

305

227

252

Buffaloes

—

4. Calves born :

I. By artificial insemination
Cows

119

195

309

Buffaloes

—

II. By natural services :

Cows

193

126

250

Buffaloes

105

143

251

5. Animals castrated :

908

883

536

308

1,014

Agriculture and Irrigation

141

Besides the above, a Post-graduate College of Veterinary and
Animal Husbandry is also functioning at Bikaner under the University
of Udaipur. Under this college a poultry farm is being maintaned.

Poultry Development — During the year 1965-66 subsidies and
loans were given for the development of poultry. A subsidy of
Rs. 155 and loan of Rs. 500 each were given to poultry breeding farms.
About 5,000 chicken were distributed to the poutry breeders by the
Veterinary College, Bikaner at subsidised rates.

Fisheries

There has been no significant development of fisheries in the
district due to paucity of water and obhorance of people in general to
killing and the eating of flesh. In Panchayat Samiti, Kolayat, the
soil is fit for tanks to hold water round the year and fisheries can
be developed but for the apathy of people on religious and sentimental
grounds.

Artificial Insemination

There is no artificial insemination centre in Bikaner except the
Key Village __Centres. There were nine veterinary hospitals and
dispensaries in Bikaner as follows :

1 .

2 .

4.
5

8 .
9.

Veterinary Hospital, Bikaner (functioning from time of integration)
„ „ Ltinkaransar (established in 1954-55)

„ „ Naukha (established in 1954-55)

„ Mahajan (established in 1962-63)

„ „ Kolayat (established in 1955-56)

„ Dispensary, Deshnoke (established in 1965-66)
Multipurpose Dispensary, Bikaner
Mobile Veterinar>' Dispensary, Bikaner
Veterinary Hospital R.A.C., Bikaner (established in 1964-65)

Animal Diseases

The area being sandy and climate dry, the possibilities of
cattle diseases arc remote. During the rainy season, however, foot
and mouth diseases do make their appearance. These arc readily
treated with little loss of life. Seasonal diseases like Hamorrhagic
Septicaemia arc reported before the advent of rains, and if the animals
arc not vaccinated earlier the chances of survival arc bleak. Obvious
symptoms of this disease arc swelling in the throat and chest

142

Rajasthan District Gazettcers—Blkaner

accompanied by fever which incapaciates the victim to eat anything
resulting in death. The mortality on this account is 80 to 90 per cent
Another disease known as Black Quarter spreads in the winter mostly
among the young stocks,

Goshalas

There are five Goshalas functioning in the district. These are
situated at Bikaner, Naukha, Deshooke, Napasat and Bhinasar. The
Goshala at Bikaner has been functining under the Animal Husbandry
Department under the Goshala Development Scheme since 1960-61.
This institute was maintaining a herd of 116 cattle at the end of
1965-66. During this period the Goshala supplied milk to the extent
of 14,076 .kg. to the public. The name of the ocher Goshalas
functioning in Bikaner district are as follows :

1. Shri Ganga Jubile Gaiishala, Bikaner

2. Shri Ganga Gaiishala, Naukha

3. Shri Murli Manohar Gaushala, Bhinasar

4. Shri Gaushala, Napasar

5. Shri Gaushala, Deshnoke

There is a Gosadan at Koramdesar at a distance of 24 km, from
Bikaner city. 380 animals were being maintained in this institution
at the close of the year 1965-b6 and a sum of Rs. 13,646 was paid
to it as grant-in-aid by the Department during this year. Useless
and uneconomical animals are kept and fed here on compassionate
grounds.

Cattle Fairs

Bikaner claims the distinction of being the home of famous
breeds of sheep, goats and camels in Rajasthan. Nali in sheep,
Marwari in goats and Bikaneri in camels have attained an all India
reputation. To popularise the above breeds a number of fairs are
held every year under the aegis of Kolayat. Lunkaransar and Naukha
Panchayat Samitis. The details of these fairs are given in Appendix V
based on the fairs held during 1958-59.

famines'

Famines and Scarcity conditions are fairly frequent in the
district which has to depend, for production of food-grains and
fodder (and even for drinking water), on erratic rainfall, there being
practically no other means of irrigation. A general famine may occur

Agriculture and 'Irrigation

143

once in ten years but local sea rcity is a common feature at least
every four years. The distress caused thereby is relieved only by
temporary migration of the live-stock.

Famines-Early visitations^

' The first severe famine of which we have records in the history
of Bikaner occurred in 1755-56 a. d. when Maharaja Gaj Singh was
the ruler of the Slate. It is said that free distribution of food was
organised by the State and employment was offered to iriany people in
the construction of the city-wall. The next famine occurred during
Maharaja Ratan Singh’s reign in 1834 followed by one in 1849 and
again in 1860, but no details of the relief measures adopted are available
■ in respect of these famines.

Famine of 1868-692

The district was severely hit again by a famine in 1868-69
causing deep distress to the people. Scarcity conditions’ took- /'hold
early in October 1868 when people began clamouring for food.- Some
philanthropists took steps to relieve distress by free distribution.of
cooked food as also by opening small relief •■centres.- The State had
no plans to meet the situation except the establishment of,a free food
distribution cehlcd (sada-brat) at the Capital • town^pf Bikaner. The
other relief work started was digging of a small tank .giving. employ-
ment to a few people for a short time. This too, ' had. to be closed.for
want of funds. The State’s directive remitting transit duties on grains^
was disregarded and officials collected land revenue by imposing heavy
fines and employing other coercive methods. This resulted in the
perilous loss of more than one third of the population and bulk of
livestock. The price of grain rose gradually to six seers a rupee, and
even water became a scarce commodity.

Famine of I89I-923

The next visitation of famine was in 1891-92 which affected
IS.S^lO.sq. miles in the north, where the Kharif crop had failed for
the eighth year in succession. Because of the migratory habit of
the people, relief measurcs'proraplly taken by the State, a good wheat
crop in the spring of 1892 and other facilities afforded fay the railways,

t. iirskitse. Major P.&jpatSiia Cazcitccr The Western Rijputina

Sfiitfianrf Bikaner Aseney, 1909, p. 2154.

2. ukJ., p. 354,

3. ibtJ., p. 355,

144

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

the impact of draught conditions on the lives of the people was not so>
severe. Relief works, like small tanks, repairs to wells and earth work
for the railway track were started in September 1891 and closed in
August 1892, giving employment to 11,51,000 and gratuitous relief
to 4,04,088 people. About half the cattle, however, perished as grass
was hardly available, and at the beginning of 1892, it was selling at
thirty five seers for a rupee. Three times the number of cattle in
ordinary jears had migrated but the majority returned before the end
of 1892. Prices of wheat, bajra and moth rose to eight or nine seers
per rupee. Various relief measures together with the remission of land
revenue accounted for an expenditure of more than Rs. 3.3 lakhs;
besides advances to agriculturists and suspensions of land revenue
amounted to Rs. 53,000.

Famine of 1896-19711

The year 1896 witnessed an extensive failure of the Kharif crop
affecting more than three-fourth of the then Bikaner State, The relief
works consisted mainly of digging of the Ghaggar Canal and the
railway track giving employment to nearly 27.50,000 units* while about
8,14,000 units* were relieved gratuitously. The expenditure incurred on
these measures exceeded Rs. 3,5 lakhs and suspensions of land revenue
and iakavi advances were also granted. Prices of foodgrains ranged
from seven to nine seers per rupee. Fodder was very scarce, and it
was estimated that one third of the cattle in the affected tracts in the
south and cast and about one fifth elsewhere had perished.

Famine of 1899-19002

Another severe famine occurred in 1899-1900. Average rainfall
for the then whole State of Bikaner in that year was 3i inches;
Bikaner city leceiving 1.14 inches only. Crops failed miserably, but
the timely help rendered by the then State authorities of Bikaner and
well thought out relief measures personally supervised by the
Maharaja, enabled the people to withstand the calamity boldly.
Relief works and famine camps Were started in August 1899 and
continued till October, 1900. Relief works weie so planned as not
only to provide immediate relief to the famine stricken , but also to
bring long range profits to the State. Of the 93,48,715 per.sons
engaged on works, more than eighty per cent were actual workers.

1. Erskinc, Major K. D., RSJpuiSna Cczetteer, Vol. HI-A, The fVestern Rajputana
States and Bikaner Agency, 1909, p. 355.

2. ibid., p. 355.

• A unit would consist of labour of one man per day.

Agriculture And Irrigation

145

Four poor houses were set up, two at Bikatier and one each at Churu
and Rajgarh. The poor house at Bikaner v/as state controlled and
the latter two were managed by local philanthropists. There was no
system of gratuitous relief to people at theif own houses, but distressed
parda-mshin women were fed at different camps and accommodated
in huts specially erected for them. About twenty-two per cent of the
population emigrated, and three-fourth of the cattle were said to have
died. Total expenditure on relief was more than Rs. 8.5 lakhs, of which
nearly half was subscribed by the leading Seths or Bankers who were
reputed for their philanthropy. Land revenue suspensions amounted to
Rs. 4.7 lakhs and Rs. 85,300 were advanced to agriculturists. Mention
may here be made of the excellent services rendered by the Imperial
Service Camel Corps^ which was then converted into a famine
fighting unit.

As a result of successive bad years after the big famine of
1899-1900, the economic condition of people got a severe set-back
necessitating considerable remissions in revenue arrears in

1902-03. Further sizable remissions were announced in lean years
of 1904-05, 1909-10,1911-12 and 1918-19, as also on such festive
occasions as birth of the Heir-Apparent and His Highness’ Silver
Jubilee. Total remissions thus amounted to Rs. 22,34,279 upto the
end of the financial year 1935-36. Besides, many other substantial
concessions were granted to the people to improve their economic
condition, and bring more area under cultivation. These included
abolition in interest on arrears of land revenue in Khalsa (State-owned
as against Jagir) villages, payment of revenue in two half yearly
instalments instead of one yearly instalment as it existed prior to 1913,
facilities for taking more land on annual or four years’ lease, free
grants for constructing and repairing kutcha and pucca wells, tanks
and bunds (reservoirs for collecting and storing rain water) and
advances free of interest for a fixed period for the cultivation of Rabi
and other profitable crops. These concessions were offered in addition
to normal taccavi loans, the grant of which was considerably liberalised
to benefit the agriculturists.

In 1915, owing to the failure of moosoon, Rs. two lakhs were
given as interest free loans foronc year, in addition to free grants of
Rs. one lakh for the purchase of camels and cattle to the cultivators
at half price. A concession of half railway freight on grass and

146

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

fodder imported for consumption in the State by the Bikaner Railway
was further granted.

State grain shops were opened at Bikaner in 1918-19 and 1921.
In order to restrict undue rise in prices and prevent profiteering, a
scheme of co-operative sale was introduced and a grain market was
built at Bikaner.

In 1920-21, earth work was started on the projected railway
line between Hanumangarh and Talwara and grain compensation
allowances were granted to the lower grades of State employees,
Taccavi loans were given to the agriculturists liberally.

In later years, regular budgetary provision was made for
liberal /flccav/ advances, amounting to more than Rs, 30,000 between
1930-31 and 1935-36.

Famine of 1939-40

Because of failure of rains during 1939-40, famine was declared
from 20th August, 1939. The tahsil of Magra was partially affected,
while the tahsils of Sadar, Surpura and Ltinkaransar were generally
affected.

To combat this calamity a Central Famine Oflricer was
appointed and Famine Execution and General Committees were set up.
This organisation set itself to the task of granting various relief
measures. Thus usual steps like remission and suspension of land
revenue were announced in affected areas, land was allotted in
perennial and non-perennial irrigated areas in the colony for temporary
cultivation, exempted from payment of land revenue and water and
crop rates, to agriculturists coming from Baranl areas, with grant
of taccavi loans for purchase of seeds and agricultural implements.
Relief works were opened to provide employment. Free traval facilities
were offered to labourers coming to the relief works and reduction
was made in freigh rates on the movement of grass, fodder and cattle;
Fodder Depots were opened at various places to supply fodder at
cheap and fixed rates. The total expenditure incurred on relief works
during the period amounted to Rs. 14,35,619. Besides, about Rs, four
lakhs were distributed as taccavi to help the impoverished agriculturists
in pursuing their vocation. Commendable efforts were also made by
private institutions like gosbalas, and philanthropic individuals to
maintain cattle at their expense during this period. During the
famine, inspite of all the efforts made, about 29 per cent of the cattle
arc reported to have perished.

Agriculture and Irrigation

147

Famines during recent years

The year 1963-64 witnessed ^an unprecedented famine in recent
years. The rainfall was very scanty and sufficient water even
for drinking purposes was not available, much less for cultivation of
food or fodder. Whole of the district consisting of 680 villages was
declared famine stricken by the Slate Government and the Government
machinery of the district was geared up to meet the situation. Relief
works were started to mitigate the distress. Arrangements were made
for the import of fodder from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Bengal and Madras, besides from places within the State,
and its distribution at subsidised rates through 67 fodder depots
scattered in the whole of the district. The paucity of driking water
was met by giving subsidy for deepening vveJJs in 208 viJJages; and
where there were no wells, drinking water was transported by railway
tanks and camels. In some villages, electric or diesel motors were
provided for drawing water from wells. As many as 863 disabled
and old persons were given subsidy at Rs. 1 5 each per month during
the famine period. Cattle camps were also organised where assistance
at Rs, 10 per cattle was given for their maintenance. Public
co-operation was also sought in running such camps and fO per cent
of the total expenditure was met by the Government. Migration of
cattle, however, was then inevitable and about 20,000 livestock were
transported to Suratgarh Mechanised Farm in Ganganagar district,
where grazing facilities were provided free of cost. To help the
distressed, village relief works were started within five miles of each
village and arrangements for shcltcr, drinking water, medical facility
etc,, were made so that the workers could engage themselves in relief
works without difficulty. At one time, the number of persons
engaged in such relief works was as high as 38,000 daily but the
number was reduced on the advent of rains in July. Clothes and
biscuits were distributed in the camps by the Red Cross Society. The
Government distributed woollen blankets to the poor and disabled.
Persons, who could not work in relief works, were distributed Charkhas
at subsidised rates by Khadi Organisations and supply of cotton and
wool also arranged. Toccavi loans were advanced by the Government
to the tune of Rs. 25 lakhs in 1963-64 {Samrat year 2020) at easier
terms. In all about Rs. one crore were spent on relief measures
during this year,

1965-66 {Samvat 2022) was again a year of famine, though less
se\’£rc as compared to the famine of 1963-64. Rains were not only

148

Raiasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

meagre but their distribution too was uneven. Accordingly the
following test works were started on 14.10.1965 :

1. From Khara to Hamera via Husangsar, Gersar, Bambloo,
Ranisar and Sharera.

2. From Bikaner to Earasalpur via Jhajha, Pawarwala,
Mankarasar, Gokal and Cbila Kashmiri.

3. From Palana to Kesardesar via Gigasar.

4. From Diatra to Nokhra via Gadiala.

5. From Dhirera to Hindaun via Khiryera, Ladera, Khokhrana,
Kabhana-Jagor and Hathoosar.

6. From LtJnkaransar to Shekhsar via Nathwana.

7. From Dalalsar to Jiinglu via Udasar, Kudsu.

On 22.12.1965, 554 or about 82 percent of the total number
of villages of the district were declared famine stricken as the crops
there had failed to the extent of fifty percent or above. The test
works started in October were included in the famine relief operations
and more works were taken up to give relief to the sufferers. By the
end of March 1966, as many as 24 works had been started and
in April 1966, 22 more works were taken in hand for construction of
village roads. The result was that 180 miles of gravelled roads had
been constructed by the end of March 1966. A sum of Rs. 48,50,000
was spent from 1.4.1966 to 12.8.1966 on roads.

Other relief measures taken in hand consisted of running of
18 fodder depots, 52 cheap ration shops and 5 cattle camps, giving*
subsidy for 129 wells, transportation of drinking water by 128 railway
tanks to various areas affected by scarcity of water, distribution of
nearly 105 tonnes of wheat, assistance for bulls and buffaloes of the
Panchayat Samilis at Rs. 30 each, and distribution of powder milk to
1,19,683 villagers. In all, a sum of Rs. 9,37,325 was spent from
October 1965 to March 1966 by the State Government on relief
measures. Inspite of such a severe famine, no starvation deaths
were reported because of well organised steps taken by the authorities
well in time.

Apriculture and Irrigation

3149

Appendix I
Wells in use and disuse^

Year

Tahsil

WELLS

In use

Out of use Total

Tube

wells

Old

pucca

wells

New wells
brought
in use

Total

wens

1960-61

1. Bikaner

—

195

201

207

2. Lonkaransar

160

162

174

3. Naukha

205

220

222

4. Koluyat

187

194

198

5. Total

747

777

801

1961-62

1. Bikaner

180

196

202

2. Lonkaransar

181

184

205

3. Naukha

195

213

216

4. Kolayat

187

194

198

5. Total

743

787

821

1962-63

1. Bikaner

204

217

228

2. Lnnkaransar

173

179

203

3. Naukha

193

209

212

4. Kolayat

131

140

143

5. Total

701

745

786

1963-64

1, Bikaner

410

414

480

2. Lnnkaransar

175

176

213

3. Naukha

296

320

326

4. Kolayat

130

142

151

5. Total

1,011

1,052

118

1,170

1964-65

1. Bikaner

410

426

492

2. Lnnkaransar

175

176

213

3. Naukha

308

320

326

4. Kolayat

141

145

154

5. Total

1,034

1,067

118

1,185

1965-66

1. Bikaner

410

431

498

2. Lnnkaransar

175

176

.213

3. Naukha

—

4. Kolayat

379

386

388

5, Total

964

993

106

1,099

I . Soarce : Board of of Revenue (Land Records), Risjaslban, Ajmer,

150

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Appendix II

Area' and Production of Principal Cropsi

Year

Bajra

Jowar '

Wheat Barley

Kharif Sesamum
Pulses

Rape

Mustard

Cotton

1956-57

1,30,130

Area under Crops (Hectares)
1 ,508 164 - 2,11,690

7,852

1957-58

1,32,908

551

1,66,302

6,803

1958-59

1,29,956

226

1,56,358

9,317

1,542

1959-60

1,71,060

711

312

1,90,996

12,120

1960-61

1,86,812

633

1,87,653

14,164

1961-62

1,96,890

1,108

2,02,563

26,116

1962-63

1,98,297

1,088

2,05,430

12,701

1963-64

1,85,423

418

218

1,99,195

10,428

1964-65

2,18,576

883

215

2,42,954

19,912

1965-66

2,26,305

859

120

2,51,593 21,307

1956-57

6,695

Production of Crops (Tonnes)

367 199 ' - 26,206 754

1957-58

20,182

169

12,777

827

1958-59

16,591

23,204

940

415

—

1959-60

29,910

217

31,518

354

1960-61

10,888

180

28,816

1,430

1961-62

16,331

286

36,742

615

—

1962-63

29,113

175

, 37,796

3,359

1963-64

831

101

11,013

1964-65

34,052

121

165

. 3

52,299

1,361

1965-66

10,146

’ 14

19,267

382

1 . Statistical Abstract, Rajasthan, yearly volumes for various years.

Agriculture and Irrigation

151

Appendix III

Physical Achievements - Agriculture Sector^

(Provisional)

Items

Units

1964-65

Years

1965-66

1 , Reclamation of land

Acres

8,498

40,486

Hectares

3,439

16,384

2. Distribution of Ammonium

Sulphate

Qtl.

2.65

6.63

3. Compost pits dug and filled

Nos.

1,401

2,236

4. Compost prepared & used

Tons

4,357

7,544

Tonnes

4,427

7,665

5. Seeds distributed;

( i ) Bajra

Mds.

1,033

461

Kg.

38,556

17,206

(ii ) Moth

Mds.

200

Kg,

7,465

(iii) Wheat

Mds.

750

Kgs.

27,993

2,239

(iv) Vegetables

Lbs.

0.50

13.75

Kg.

0.23

6.2

6. Improved Ploughs Distributed

Nos.

166

7. Rat control

Acres

33,874

54,748

Hectares

13,708

22,156

8. Disinfection of seed stores

No. of times 711

354

9. Seed treatment

Mds.

16,082

7,496

Kg.

6,00,250

2,79,782

10. Shady plants distributed

Nos.

2,538

. 2,479

11. Fruit plants distributed

Nos.

1,419

12. Der trees budded

Nos.

123

13. Med Bundi

Acres

1,325

685

Hectares

536

277

14. Kam Bundi

Acres

25,571 .

77,526

Hectares

10,348

31,374

1 5. Bar Btmdi

Acres

19,085

16,109

Hectares

7,723

6,522

16. Stable Mulching

Acres

16,730

6,785

Hectares

6,770

2,746

1. Source : Agricultur: Dcpartroent, RSjastban, Jaipur.

152

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Appendix IV
Livestock

Type of Animals

1961

1966

A. Cattle

289043

355704

( i ) Males over three years

29661

33482

1. Breeding

1794

1659

2. Working

26895

31229

3. Others

972

594

(ii ) Females over three years

149148

182580

1. In milk

60687

lOOlOI

2. Dry

66926

82246

3. Others

21535

233

(iii) Young stock three years and under

110234

139642

Males

51195

Females

59039

B. Buffaloes

38512 '

44743

( i ) Males over 3 years

1220

1187

1. Breeding

152

149

2. Working

862

991

3. Others

206

(ii ) Females over 3 years

22338

25595

1. In Milk

8911

1353!

2. Dry

9216

11992

3. Others

4211

(iii) Young stock 3 years and under

14954

17961

Males

4883

___

Females

10071

. •-

Total Cattle and BulTalocs

327555

(

400447

Sheep

430232

533517

( i ) one year and above

359261

440608

(ii ) Below one year

70971

92909

Agriculture and Irrigation

15 ^

> t

Type of Animals

196t

1966

_3,

Goats

1Q36M .

132964.

( i ) one year and above

76369

91163

(ii ) Below one year

27295

41801

’ " . i

Horses and Ponies

552

437

s:'

"Mules

Donkeys

3308

4050

Camels

38360

47184

-iS.

Pigs •

63 •

' Total Livestock

903740

1118660

■'9.

Pouitr^'

2142 '

12357

( i ) Fowls

2111

12338

(ii) Ducks

■23

(iii) Others

Source : Statistical' Abstract , RSfastlrUn, 1967 and Report on the Livestock Census,
1961, the Board of Revenue, Rajasthan, Ajmer.

154

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Appen

Cattlei

Name of the fair

Location

Managed by

Dates

on which

held

Distance

from the

Rly. Station

1. Mahajan Cattle
fair

Mahajan

Distt, Board

27.9.58 to

2.10.58

2 miles
or 3 km.

2. Kolayat

Cattle fair

Kolayat

»9

25.11.58 to

30.11.58

J mile or
0.8 km.

3. Naukha Cattle
fair

Naukha

15.10.58 to

20.10.58

1 mile or
1.6 km.

4. Naukha Cattle
fair

Naukha

2.2.59 to

8.2.59

1 mile or
1.6 km.

5. Kolayat Cattle
fair

Kolayat

25.1.59 to

30.1.59

1 mile or
0.8 km.

6. Mahajan Cattle
fair

Mahajan

19.2.59 to

25.2.59

2 miles or

3 km.

1. A Guide to Rajasthan Cattle Fairs, 1958-59, Department of Animal Husbandry,
RSjastban.

Agriculture and Irrigation

155

DIX V
Fairs

Principal

Number of

the

animals brought

and

sold

species

Cattle

Buffaloes

Horses

Camels

Donkeys

Sheep

B S

Rathi

1,300

563

200

300 -

Rathi &

Nagauri

1,175

134

2000 133

Nagauri &
Bikancri 935

396

100

—

200 -

100

Rathi &
Nagauri

1,070

268

100 1

•

B:kancri

Camels

1,0 5

417

100 15

Rathi

1,275

138

—

100 7

—

Note ; B denotes brought
S denotes sold.

CHAPTER V

INDUSTRIES

OLD TIME INDUSTRIES

Being almost entirely a desert area with negligible forest giowtli
and little water resources, and the only agricultural produce being
Bajra and Moth, Bikaner district could not boast of much industrial
activity and has been, for these natural drawbacks, industrially
backward, so far as agriculture-based industries are concerned. The
district has, however, been famous for the production of wool; but
even for its processing there were no industries in the past, except one
unit which was working under the trade-name of M/s Bikaner Woollen
Press, in the Capital city. Captain P. W. Powletti has described the
industrial activity in his days thus : “The principal manufactures
are those of blankets and sweetmeats: the latter of course from
imported sugar, which is worked up into a great variety of sweetmeais
so superior to any produced elsewhere that large quantities are
exported". According to Major K.D. Erskine,2 Bikaner had been
famous for the manufacture of woollen fabrics (Lois or woollen shawls),
carpets, ivory bracelets, pottery, lacquer-ware, leathern water bags and
sweetmeats. The ivory bracelets were often tinted with gold or silver
while the pottery consisted chiefly of household utensils made of red
clay or marl. Work in lac was confined to small articles like toys,
bangles, stools and legs of beds White sugar candy had been a
famous product of Bikaner which was made of imported sugar and
rainwater. The other industries consisted of weaving of coarse cotton
cloth, rugs, durries, grain bags of goat hair and the manufactures of
camel saddlery.

' The old industries thus mainly consisted of small units
producing handloom articles like durries, woollen blankets known as
Burdies and Lois, handicrafts like carved building stones, wood,
lacquer-wares and block printing etc. The artisans were mainly
concentrated in Bikaner city, except the weavers of blankets, who were
spread throughout the district though Napasar has been famous for
the skill of its weavers.

1. Powlctt, C.iptain P.W., Gazetteer of B'tkaner State, 1874, p. 98.

2. Erskinc, Major K.D., Bajputana Gazetteers, yol, Ill-A, The Kujputdna Stoles and

the Btkencr Agency, 1909, p. 351.

Industries

157

Col. J. Todi has stated, “The Bikaneris work well in iron,
and have shops at the capital and all the large towns for the manu-
facture of sword blades, match-locks, daggers, iron lances, etc. The
sword-handles, which are often inlaid with variegated steel or burnished,
are in high request and exported to various parts of India. They have
also expert artists in ivory,' though the articles are chiefly such as are worn
by females, as C/<»m, or bracelets. Coarse cotton cloth, for internal
consumption was woven in considerable quantities on handlooms.’’

Bales of raw wool were sent out of the district mainly to big
industrial towns like Bombay, Karachi and Ahmedabad for further
processing and making it suitable for knitting and weaving purposes.
The economic condition of the sheep breeders was far from
'satisfactoTj'; The wool based industries, however, have got a fillip
consequent on the encouragement of industries given by the Government
during recent years.

POWER

Power is the pre-requisife for the development of all industries.
The first electrie light was switched on in Bikaner as early as 1886.
In 1902, a P6wer House on modern lines was erected near the City
Railway Station for the purpose of supplying electric power to the
various State buildings and other State institutions. The demand,
however, quickly outgrew the capacity of the plant installed, and a
new Power House was built in a more central and suitable locality
in 1906. Afthat time, it was one of the most up-to-date plants in
India, and one of the first to introduce the new universal system
of light tension alternating current. Since then, the plant has been
extended from time to time, to cope with the ever increasing dernand
for electric current. It is interesting to note that the whole power
msed to be generated from lignite fuel mined at Palana. During the
years^ 1939-^0, 1940-41 and 1941-42 the number of connections was
4,465, 4,579 and 4,842 and the electricity generated was 1,03,47,644,
1,06,82,130 and 1,20,95,328 units respectively.

.Prior to the supply of power from Bhfikhra Nangal Grid
in 1962, availability of power in the district was limited to Bikaner
city and the adjoining suburbs, as it was generated only from a

1. J. Tod, Lkut. Co!. J., Armak cn! AntiquUks of HijasthSJi Vo!, 11, 1’.ombay, 1929,

P. ns,

7, AdtnhustraiwTi Report of the Dikansr Stale, 1939-40 to I94 j- 42, p. 95.

158

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

combined steam and diesel power house located at Bikaner. The
installed capaicity of this Power House was 8,500 K.w. by steam and
1,108 K.w. by diesel during the year 1965-66. At present it is being
partly utilised.

The main source of electricity now in the district is Bhakhra
Hydel Power. This was partly brought in the district first in 1959
and fully in May 1962. The existing transformer capacity at
Bikaner Grid sub-station is 2 x 4,000 k.v.a. As more .and more
power became available from the Bhakhra Grid, generation from the
local steam and diesel power houses has been progressively declining.
Thus in 1961-62 as against 10 million k.w. of power generated
locally, Bhakhra Grid supplied only 4.8 million K.w. In 1965-66,
however, local generation fell to a bare 0.536 million K.w. against
17.80 million k.w. obtained from Bhakhra.

The total number of connections as on 31st March, 1967, in
Bikaner district, stood as follows :

Agricultural

Industrial

355

Domestic

16,805

Water Works

Street-lighting

Others

Commercial

2,260

There

is one 66 k. v. Grid sub-station

having transformers

of 2x4 mva-66/1 1 K. V. to bring and regulate the supply of hydro-
electricity in the district. The Thermal Station is at present kept as
a stand-by to feed part of Bikaner city in the case of failure of
Bhakhra supply. Its generating capacity is 2,000 K.w.

Rural Electrification

Rural electrification started in the district in the year 1961,
The total power supplied for the purpose is about 700 K.w.
The number of towns and villages electrified in the district as on
31st March. 1966 was 47; the names of these are given in the
Appnedix I

Industries

159

MINERALS

Bikaner is fairly rich in mineral wealth. The important
minerals available in the district are as follows :

Non-nietallic

Gypsum— The gypsum deposits of Bikaner are well known and
cater to the requirements of cement and fertiliser industries in the
country. From times immemorial, it has also been used for plastering
buildings. The important gypsum occurrences in Bikaner district
are at Jamsar, Dbirera, Dulmera and Lankaransar; some of these are
discussed below ;

Jamsar — The gypsum deposit at Jamsar is one of the biggest
and the best deposits of gypsum in India. It is located near village
Jamsar. A railway station of the same name is situated within the
area covered by the deposit, which extends to about 5*6 kilometres in
the east-west and about 1 -6 km. in the north-south directions. The
mineral which is of very good quality occurs in almost horizontal
beds of varying degrees purity and thickness, intercalated with slightly
unconsolidated clay and sand beds. This deposit is held at present
under a mining lease by m/s Bikaner Gypsum Ltd., a Public Limited
Company, in which Government of Rajasthan is also a partner.
The mines are fully mechanised and the mining is carried out by open
cast method. On an average, the deposit is estimated to contain
reserves of 30 million tons of good quality gypsum,

Dhirera— The deposit is about 1,000 ft. down south of Dhlrera
Railway Station on the Bikancr-Bhatinda line of the Northern
Railway. The area is under a mining lease to m/s Bikaner Gypsum
Limited. The estimated reserve is about 1‘33 million tons.

The deposits of gypsum also occur at the following places :

Jaima!sar-~The approximate reserve of gypsum is about 2'15
lakh tons.

Kanvni — The approximate reserve here is about 6'6 lakh tons.

Bharu— The estimated reserve is nearly 5'S3 lakh tons.

i\fakrasar— The estimated reserve is approximately 5 laldi tons.

160

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Dholera—This deposit has a reserve of approximately 5 lakh

tons.

A crystalline variety of gypsum i.e. Salenite occurs at Lankaran-
sar which is a railway station of the Northern Railway (Blkaner-
Bhatinda line). These nearly 3 ft. thick deposits extend over about
2'6 sq, km. The salenite bearing earth contains 60 per cent of salenite.
The area is under a mining lease to M/s Bikaner Gypsum Ltd.

Bitlmok — The deposit is situated near the place of the same name.

Macl/iogar/i — It has reserves of gypsum estimated at 15,000

tons.

Gypsum is mainly consumed by the fertiliser factory at Sindri,
for the manufacture of artificial manure, and by the cement factories
of the country. Besides, Gypsum is also used by the textile industry
and the pottery factories of the country. A small quantity is also
used by the local consumers of Bikaner for the manufacture of wall
plaster.

White clay — The deposits of white clay mainly lie to the
north-west of village Marh. The nearest Railway Station is
Kolayat. A number of mining leases for white clay (fire clay) have
been granted to various 'private parties. The mines are located at
Marh, Kotri, Indfika-Bala and Chandi. The clay of the area is
greyish white to white in colour, soft and soapy to touch. It is not
gritty and possesses good plasticity. The mineral is worked by manual
labour and by open cast method.

The chief uses of white clay lie in the manufacture of pottery,
porcelain and fire bricks. It is also used in the paper, textile, rubber
and paints industries.

Fullers’ earth — Fullers’ Earth is a variety of clay that has high
capacity for absorbing basic colours and can remove these colours
from their solutions in animal, vegetable and mineral oils, as well as
some other liquids, especially water. The local name of the mineral is
Muitani Mini. It is found in the vast 'area near village Marh of
tahsii Kolayat, and in Palana, where it occurs at a depth of about 70 ft.
The dcposii near Marh has been given under a mining lease to a private
party and ihc mineral is mined by open cast method.

Industries

161

The mineral is used for refining of mineral and vegetable oils
and also by the textile industry. It is also used as a substitute for soap
in the rural areas of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Yellow ochre — Yellow ochre is found near Joglra tank beyond
Marh village of tahsil Kolayat and near Bikaner in Kismidesar
area. The deposits are under mining lease to private parties. The
mines are worked by open cast method through manual labour only.

This mineral is used for the manufacture of distempers and colours
and is consumed locally.

Glass Sand— Glass sand of good quality, is found in village
Marh. The occurrence of glass sand is along the bank of nullah for
nearly 0*8 km. and reserves are roughly estimated at 14 million tons.
, The area has been given under a mining lease to a private party. The
mines are worked by open cast method, employing manual labour
only. The sand is used for the manufacture of sheet glass, bottles and
containers.

Fuel

Lignite (Brown Coal) — The only known deposit of coal
(Lignite) in Rajasthan exists near Palana in Bikaner district and is being
worked by the Department of Mines and Geology, Rajasthan. The
average annual production is about 30,000 tons. The coal or Lignite
of a dark brown colour was discoverd in 1896 while sinking a well
at Palana, south of the city of Bikaner. On an analysis made in the
Geological Survey Laboratory, following results were obtained :
Moisture 8*20 per cent. Volatile matter 42'72 per cent, Ash 9.80 per
cent, thus indicating a fuel that would burn rapidly on account of
large amount of volatile matter, but would be somewhat deficient in
thermal power. Operations were started in 1898 and the Colliery
was connected by a rail link in 1899. The seam is 20 feet thick, 250
ft. below the surface and 50 feet above the water level. More than
two million tons of coal arc estimated to exist and the deposit has
shown signs of exhaustion only in one direction. The extraction has
grown steadily year by year. The following table indicates the annual
out put :

162

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Rlkaner

Year

out -put" in tons • -

1898

' 511

1899

4,249

1900

9,250

1901

12,094

1902

16;503

1903

21,764

1904

45,078

1905

42,964

1906

3;2,372

1907

28,062

1923-24

21,000

1924-25

26,472

I93?-40

39', 723

1940-41

'42,837

194l-f2

47,0^6

1944-45

'43.069

1945-46

'■1R','291

1946-47

61;1'26'

During 1907, the Colliery gave employment to abouthfiSO
(labourers fliainly Jats, Gharnmars.Xor Dheds) and Thoris, and the
daily wages ranged between six'and seven anna's olr 'SV and ’4^-paise.

The ■ mineral is, however, of • inferior . quality disintegrating
'rapidly and becoming very friable when exposed to, the atmosphere.
It is consequently not Well fitted for use in locomotives, as the .sm'all
fragments-and diist are liable to choke;- the boiler tubes. So far; the
chief use of Lignite has been as a fuel in. Power ,-lHouses and kilns. . It
is also suitable for any 'stationary boiler 'and most serviceable as a
pulverised fuel.

Building Materials

• Sand Stone — The sand stone quarries are situate^.in Dnlmera
•which is a Railway Station on Bikancr-Bhatinda line, ,, The quarries
are situated just- near nhe' Railway Station, The ..existing ^-quarries
cover an area of about . 12 lakh sqr ft. The '"colour , istfinc red-brown
and the stone is of -good quality. . It is used for building purposes.
The entire sand stone for Bikaner city buildings is said to have been
obtained from these quarries.

Industries

163

The quarrying is done by manual labour only and the methods
employed are still primitive. Besides being consumed locally, the stone
is sent to Bhatinda and other places in Punjab. It used to be sent to
Bahuwalpur also before partition.

Lime Stone— The deposits of lime stone occur near village Dawa
Silva of tahsil Naukha. They are exposed at four hillocks making a
continuous belt extending over 6'4 km., near village Dawa Silva
(Bandra). The quality of the lime stone is highly dolomite.

Bajri or Grit — This is quite an important building material
which is elastic rock consisting of medium sized grains of silica and
may be described as grit. The chief development of this grit is at
Gangashahr, ‘Gharisar and Sheo-Ba'ri. Almost due south of the city
of Bikaner, there is- a vast area of Bajri Kankar, from the west of
Pancha Mukha Hanuman temple upto Gangashahr Gbati. The
quality of Bajri'is quite good and the deposit is considerably large.

'Kankar — A-good deposit of Kankar is found atDarbariNal
hnd’Gh'arisar. Kankar is ‘used locally -for.. iim’e.’buming ; as well
as' for ballast.

Metallic Minerals

CoPPER-r-The only metalliy Mnuciai luuuu »u
Todt mentioned about the existence of 'two mines,, one at Biramsar
and another at Bldasar (both ihr'the; south of Bikaner) and'wrotc
that the former did not repay the expense of working, while the latter
having been worked for nearly thirty years, was alihost exhausted.
-According to the local chronicles the mine at Bidasar was discovered
•in 1753 and was never- a paying concern owing to the absence of proper
appliances for keeping down the water.

LARGE SCALE INDUSTRIES

•Glass sand found in village Marh is of a very good quality and
most useful' 'for manufacture of glass- ware. There had been only one
large scale factory in' the district for the- manufacture of glass, articles
which was first started at Bikaner in 1930-but closed-down in 1931-32.
It was revived in July 1945 and started manufacturing glass with a
capital investment of Rs. 8 lakhs providing employment to'800 persons.

Tod. licut-Cot. James. Antxsh and AntuT-fifics of lUJassh-An, Vol. IF, p. 1154,

164

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

The production of this unit was worth Rs. 4,000 per day. The unit
worked only for a couple of years and was closed down.l

SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES

Pottery

Attracted by the deposits of china clay in Kolayat one unit for
the manufacture of pottery and electrical insulators has recently come
up at Bikaner. It started its production in 1967-68, The total capital
outlay is about Rs. 6 lakhs and it employs about 70 workers.

Steel Processing

The following are the important steel processing factories
working in the district.

1. Mundhra Metal Works — This is situated in the old
Industrial Area. The important products are hole carvings, tanks,
trolleys and cast brass articles. These products find market throughout
Rajasthan. The production per annum varies from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 1.5
lakh worth of goods. The factory has acquired its own building in the
Industrial Area. It employs 15 to 20 workers per day and the capital
investment is about Rs. 2 lakhs.

2. M/s Ahmud Box Jehordeen — They manufacture steel
furniture, conduit pipes, almirahs and articles like trusses etc. The unit
is equipped with a lathe, a welding set and a power drill, pipe drawing
line and hard tools, and is run by power.

3. Bharat Metal Iron Works — It is a re-rolling mill which
manufactures round bars and flat iron. The unit has got furnaces and
ten sets of rollers. The capital invested is about Rs. one lakh, besides
another Rs. one lakh of working capital. Electric power of 100 h.p.
is used.

t. A new chanter in industrial development of Bikaner was begun when the
Minister for State Enterpiscs, Rajastha'n inaugurated a Woollen Mill in Public
Sector on 11.4.1968. This unit comprises of 1200 spindles and carries a capital
investment of Rs. 61.5 lakhs. It is expected that, running in two shifts, the
mill will manufacture about 50,000 kg- of woollen yam for hosiery and carpets
every, year, which is likely to bring in a revenue of Rs. 75 lakhs including
foreign exchange. The net income is expected to be about Rs. 5 lakhs per
.annum.

Industries

165

Besides, there are a number of units which manufacture steel
furniture and cabinets. The total employment offered by all the above
units vary from 400 to 500 persons per day and their daily production
is worth Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000.

Wool Based Industries

Bikaneri wool has been rated very high for manufacture of
carpets. There were 42 wool baling, pressing and wool cleaning units
in Bikaner district registered, till 3Ist December, 1966, under the
Factories Act, and employing 1671 workers. Besides, there was a
Government Wool Production Centre at Bikaner, engaged in wool
carding, spinning and finishing. Three woollen mills were also registered
in the district.

For the last few years, due to improvement in the standard of
living of the middle class people in the country, use of carpets has
come into fashion and consequently, Bikaneri wool has gained
considerable ground in the Indian markets.

The following small scale weaving and spinning units working at
Bikaner deserve particular mention:

1. Rajasthan Khadi Gram-Udyog Board Ooni Finishing
Plant.

2. The Advance Woollen Mills (Pv.) Ltd., Industrial Area.

3. Bikaner Woollen Mills, Industrial Area.

d. Rajasthan Hoisery Mills, Gajner Road.

5. Rajasthan Woollen Mills, Jasarasar Gate.

6. The Challani Woollen Mills.

7. The Modern Woollen Mills.

8. Paras Hoisery Works.

Besides, there arc a number of cottage units which employ
mostly women labour for cleaning the raw wool. The wages of the
labour engaged in these units vary from Rs. 1.25 to Rs. 1.50 per day as
against Rs, 3 to Rs. 5 paid in other units.

Mineral based Industries

There are sis plaster of Paris manufacturing units, out of which
three arc located in the Industrial Estate at Bikaner and the remaining
ones in the City. Tire plaster of Paris rnanufaclurcd by them is pf

166

RajasthSo District gazetteers— Bikaner

building grade and finds ready market in Bombay, Ahmcdabad, Delhi
and Calcutta, in addition to the local markets within the State, One
unit viz. Satya Raj & Co. has been striving to manufacture surgical
plaster also. The yellow and red ochre is manufactured by two units.
Only four units have installed pulverisers and are equipped with suitable
furnaces. The other units are working with disintigrators, grinders an
smaller furnaces. The capital investment of each of these units varies
from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 40,000. As regards the raw materials, Gypsum
is obtained from Jamsar and Ochre from Kolayat tahsil.

There are five tiles manufacturing units, three at Bikaner and
one each at Napasar and Naukha. Tiles are used for flooring purposes
Tjoth coloured and decorative. The capital investment of these units
varies from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 and production from 20 to 50
■tonnes per month. About 60 persons find employment in these units
and the wages paid vary from Rs. 2 to Rs. 5 per day.

Printing Presses

There were 22 registered Printing Presses in the district at the
end of December 1966. One of these was the Government Press at
Bikaner, which is equipped with 15 printing machines out of which 4
are automatic. About 75 persons are employed in this press. In other
presses the employment potential is less than 10 persons and wages paid
range from Rs. 3 to Rs. 5 per day.

Cold Storage and Icc Factories

There is one Cold Storage unit at Bikaner with a capacity of
650 tons. The items stored arc mostly potatoes, and some other
vegetables and fruits. There are two ice factories in the city, besides a
number of ice candy factories, which prepare good type of ice candies,
with the abundant quantity of milk available in Bikaner.

Chemical Industries

1. Plastic & Celluloid Industries — There are five plastic
articles manufacturing units in Bikaner city, out of which three
manufacture bangles and the remaining two Polythene bags, auto-
mobile tapes and other sundry articles. These articles find market
throughout the country. . The labour employed varies from 8 to 15
persons, and the wages paid from Rs. 2 to Rs. 5 per head per day.

2. Hair Oil, Ink, Washing Soap, AcARnATTi, Candle, Pan
Masalla, Tobacco and Sweet Supari Making Units — These units
puqiber 20 and work as cottage industries using no power. Hired

{ndustrics

labour is employed and the raw material is obtained from outside
Rajasthan, and in some cases imported even from abroad. Both female
and male labour is employed on daily and piece wage basis.

3. Guar Gum Manufacturing Unit— There is only one Guar
Gum manufacturing factory viz. m/s Satya Raj & Co., Bikaner. It is
equipped with grinding machines, boilers, driers etc. and is electrically
operated. It manufactures and supplies both Guar splits and finished
gum to the textile factories in the countiy. The unit is trying to export
the finished gum outside the country.

4. Ayurvedic Pharamacies — There are seven Ayurvedic
pharmacies working in the district; Mohatta Rasayan Shala, Bikaner,
is the largest of all these. This factory is equipped with grinders and
furnaces and is electrically operated. It gives employment to 33
persons per day.

5. Distilled Water and Battery Acid Units— T here are two
units for the manufacture of Distilled water which is used in the
automobile batteries. These are not mechanically operated except
for bottling.

Electronic Industries

1. There are two radio manufacturing units in Bikaner out of
which one is situated in the Industrial Estate at Bikaner, and manu-
factures radio cabinets and complete sets of transistors and radios.
The average production per month is about 100 sets, and is marketed
mostly outside Rajasthan, in South India and Saurashtra. The factory
also manufactures some radio parts like coils and transformers which
arc sold to other units. The unit employs 10 to 15 persons per
day and wages paid per day vary from Rs. 3 to Rs. 5 per head.

2. There is one Electric line tester and Ball point pencil manu-
facturing unit located in the Industrial Estate, Bikaner, which employs
4 to 5 persons per day on daily wages of Rs. 2 to Rs. 3.

Machine and Cycle Industries

There is one machine manufacturing unit situated, under the
name and style of Pradeep Industries, in the Industrial Estate,. Bikaner.
They manufi'.cturc woollen carding machines and power presses and
employ about 20 persons. The unit is well equipped with a foundry
and a workshop.

168

R^asthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

One unit viz. R.C.A. Industries, Bikaner manufactures conduit
pipes and steel furniture etc. This unit is well equipped and five
persons are employed on piece wage basis.

Another unit situated in the Industrial Estate at Bikaner viz. .
Hukum Engineering Works, has a well equipped workshop and manu-
factures automobile parts, machines, nuts and bolts and executes odd
jobs to order. It employs about 15 persons on piece wages. .

One unit located in the Industrial area at Bikaner is engaged in
the manufacture of wire nettings. It works on hand operated pit
looms and employs about six to eight persons on piece wages.

Food Industries

There are three mechanised .biscuits and confectionary making
factories in Bikaner out of which one is located in the Industrial
Estate; one factory is solely manufacturing biscuits and its daily
production is about 1 00 kg. The other factory manufactures sweets
and lemon drops etc.

Oil & Dal Mills

There are five oil mills in the district one each at Naukha,
Gangashahr and Deshnokc, and two at Bikaner. Besides four Dal
mills, two each at Bikaner and Naukha, are also working.

Brass Utensils

There are about 35 families of Tliallieras in Bikaner who manu-
facture brass' utensils. Their annual production, valued between
Rs. 75,000 and Rs. 1,00,000, is also exported outside Rajasthan.

Miscellaneous Industries

There are U saw mills and wooden furniture making units.
One unit manufactures wooden casings. The labour employed is
according to the quantum of work in hand and the wages vary from
Rs. 2 to Rs. 4 per day.

There arc two power loom societies one each at Gajncr and
Napusar. Loans for the purchase of ten power looms and working
capital of Rs. 10,000 each were advanced to three units by the Indus-
tries Department.

There is one Gadia Lohar Co-operative Society at Bikaner, It
has a workshop equipped with a lathe, a drill, a cutter and a power

Industries

169

grinder in addition to hand tools. At present, this is lying defunct
due to organisational reasons.

At the end of 1965, there were 95 registered private factories
with a licenced maximum employment of 2221 workers, four Govern-
ment factories with 1563 workers’ licensed employment and one factory
under Local Fund ownership with 287 workers, in the district. The
names of these are given in Appendix II.

COTTAGE INDUSTRIES

Hand-spinning and hand-weaving (including hand looms) both
of cotton and woollen textiles, and leather tanning constitute the main
type of cottage industries spread all over in villages and towns of
Bikaner district.

Hand Spinning & VVeaving

There are about 25,0001 families throughout the district who are
engaged in the production of cotton and woollen cloth including
carding and spinning of the basic material. Woollen blankets, shawls
and all types of other cotton and woollen fabrics in good designs and
texture are being manufactured by the weavers of this area. Superior
qualities of Lois are manufactured at Napasar and it is one of those
items which can attract a very good market outside. About 25 per
cent of the weavers of KJmdi and handloom (cotton and woollen)
cloth have organised themselves into co-operative societies.

Khadi Mandir, Khadi Gramodyog Pratishthan and Khadi
Ooni Grab Udyog are the most important organisations in Bikaner
whose aim is to encourage the above type of cottage industries by
purchasing their products, and also by manufacturing Khadi and hand
spun and hand woven blankets. They are sponsored by the Khadi
and Village Industries Board of India.

Leather tanning and manufacture of leather goods are the
other main cottage industries of the district. About 15,000 families
earn their livelihood out of this industry. As a result of continuous
efibrts of the Stale Industries Department about 35 per cent of them
have started taking to improved tanning methods.

Steel Fabricators

There are about 75 Lidsar families in Bikaner having their own
I. Nigem, B.L,, Indjsttiaf PolctitlaUiics and Dsvthpmfnt in Bikaner, 1961, p. 18.

170

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

small workshops. Some of them also use power and do gas welding.
All of them manufacture all sorts of household articles and iron
utensils. A few of them also manufacture steel furniture viz. almiralis
and buckets, boxes, kothis, iron gates and trusses etc.

ARTS & CRAFTS

The main handicrafts of this area are dyeing and printing
{Rangai and Chhapai) of cloth, embroidery, manufacture of Lois,
lacquer-ware, lac bangles and wooden toys.

Dyeing & Printing

There are about 200 families of dyers and Chippas in Bikaner.
A few of them have formed a Co-operative Society called Kapra
Rangai Chhapai Utpadak Sahkari Samiti Ltd., Bikaner. .The^work of
dyeing and printing by this class of people is very much liked in large
parts of Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaipur divisions.

Lacquer Work

Camel hide ktippis of typical design with good decorative goioen
and other lacquer work on them are manufactured by a few artisans
in, Bikaner. These articles afford great attraction to the foreigners in
various Emporia of Rajasthan.

Wooden Toys

Gangaur and other wooden toys of typically Rajasthani pattern
are manufactured only by one or two families in Bikaner.

Carving

From the artistic and beautiful stone carvings visible on several
old palatial'buildings of Bikaner city, it can be surmised that it was a
popular art in olden times, but this old craft is unfortunately, no
longer in existence now.

Papar of Bikaner

Papar ('iim?) of Bikaner is very famous throughout the country
for its good taste and digestive qualities. It is a preparation of flour
of Moong and Moi/i kneaded in sajji water. Papars are exported in
large quantities to big cities of India like, Bombay,'Calcutta and Delhi.
Papars arc manufactured by widows at home to ckc out their liveli-
hood, as also by housewives in a large number of families during leisure
time. There arc a few organisations also at Bikaner, which, prepare
Papar and Bari for sale and train women in the art of their

Industries

171

manufacture. These are Mahila Mandal, Bikaner, Nari Shala,
Bikaner, and Nari Jagriti Parishad, Bikaner,

Bhnjias Manufacturing

It is a renowned product of Bikaner and is eaten as a savoury
snack throughout the country. The Bliujias prepared here have a
special taste, which it is said, is due to the dry climate and salinity in
the water of the area. Their crispness, which is the reason for their
popularity, is unrivalled.

Handi-Crafts Emporium

A sub-Emporium was established by the Government of
Rajasthan at Bikaner in the year 1962 for the display and sale of
Rajasthan Handicrafts. An exhibition of handicraft goods is organised
in the month of December every year and prizes are awarded to deserving
participants.

INDUSTRIAL POTENTIAL

The only industrial raw material which is available in good
quantity in the district, is wool, the annual production of which is
estimated at 15 to 20 lakh pounds (7 to 8 lakh kg.) There are good
prospects for the further development of wool processing industry in
the district. The yield of milk from cattle in the area is also abundant
and the industries using milk as their basic raw material, can have a
fair scope. At present, milk is sent to Delhi and Jaipur for sale through
their respective Milk Supply Schemes.

There are only a few mines in the district. The Gypsum mines
of Jamsar pour their supplies to the Sind ri Fertiliser Factory. Some
small scale industries using Gypsum as raw material have already come
up but their scope is limited. Other important mines are of fullers’
earth and china-clay which can be pul to industrial use Ceramic units
and activated fullers’ earth industries may have a fair scope. Looking
to the good number of cattle bred in the district, leather tanning units
run on modern lines, also have good prospects.

Sajji plants have .spontaneous growth in pQgal area of Bikaner
tahsil and an industry using this raw material can be successfully
established.

The other economies available for the establishment of industries
in Bikaner, arc the availability of suiTmient land at reasonable rates

172

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

and cheap labour. The marketing of the surplus produce also does
not pose any problem as the district is well served by rail and road
communication. All the tahsii headquarters are connected by rail as
well as roads. Bikaner city has a direct rail and road connection with
towns like Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Bhatinda etc.

STATE ASSISTANCE

The assistance rendered for industrial development by the
princely State Government was marginal and usually took the form of
either exemptions from payment of customs duty, grant of monopoly
rights or allotment of land at concessional rates. There was no
enterprise aided, managed or owned by the State in the whole of Bikaner
State territory before its merger into Rajasthan.

With the commencement of the Second Five Year Plan and the
declaration of Industrial policy by the Government of India, the
Government have been providing various types of facilities
and encouragements for the development of industries, in the form of
financial assistance by grant of loans and subsidies, factory accommo-
dation by establishing Industrial Estates, and allotment of land at
concessional rates in the declared industrial areas. Licences were
granted for the import of raw material, machinery and spare parts, not
indigenously available. A price preference of 16 per cent was also
allowed for Governmental purchases made from the small scale
industries.

CREDIT FACILITIES

The agencies providing credit facilities to small scale industries
are (i) Scheduled Banks, (ii) Co-operative Banks, (iii) Director of
Industries & Civil Supply, Government of Rajasthan, (iv) State Financial
Corporation and (v) Money-Lenders. There are four scheduled
banks in the district, namely : The Punjab National Bank Ltd.,
The United Commercial Bank Ltd., The Bank of Rajasthan Ltd. and
State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur. Of these only the last one has
provided credit facilities to small scale industries. The number of units
allowed credit facilities as on 3Ist March, 1964 stood at six, as
compared to four during 1963. The total credit allowed amounted to
Rs. 2,15,000, The Central Co-operative Bank Ltd,, Bikaner advanced
Rs. 1 1,000 by way of loans to three Industrial Co-operative Societies
during the years 1962-63 and 196?-64. The Rajasthan Financial
Corporation has advanced a loan of Rs, 2,16,000 to only one unit
namely China Wares & Potteries, Bikaner.

Industries

173

During the First and Second Five Year Plans, the loans advanced
by the State Government to help the development of industrial units
and craftsmen (including industrial co-operative societies) were as
follows 1;

(Amount in Rupees)

Period

Industrial

Co-operative Societies

Other Industrial
Units

Total

No.

Amount

No.

Amount

No.

Amount

Js! Plan

18,348

4,500

22,848

2nd Plan

55,856

1,07,150

1,63,006

1956-57

19,316

12,000

31,316

1957-58

20,040

2,000

22,040

1958-59

9,000

30,500

39,500

1959-60

7,500

36,650

-J4,l'50

1960-61

«■

9 ;

26,(fb0

^ 26,m

During the Third Five Year Plan, the Goverrrm'enHfurthefJ
advanced loans under the State Aid''rtoJ''Industries Rules,- 1961,
to the tunc of Rs. 66,000 in 1961-62, as againk 'thc' tbtal Toans of
Rs, 1,55,000 asked for by the smalt scale units. Amount of loans
granted, however, declined to Rs. 6,250 in 1962-63 and Rs. 14,800 in
1963-64, as against total loan applications for Rs. 1,51,000 and
Rs. 1,15,000 made by the small scale units during the corresponding
period. During the years 1964-65 and 1965-66, loans to the extent of
Rs. 16,000 and Rs. 4,000 were advanced to four and five parties
respectively.

Indigenous bankers still play an important role in financing
small scale units. The rate of interest charged by them, however, is
very high, ranging from 12 to 36 per cent per annum, according to the
credit worflu’ncss of the loanees.

1, Nipam, n.L„ IndmiHal rotcnthitUks am! Oeveloprr.mf in Bikaner, 1961, p. 2|.

174

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Facilities of technical education and availability of skilled
labour are, by far, the most important factors influencing the develop-
ment of industries in any area. With a view to providing technical
know-how in the district, the State Government is running a Polytechnic
an Industrial Training Institute and a Woollen Cottage Industries
Training Institute, besides a number of training centres for shoe
making and tailoring. Details of these are given below :

Government Polytechnic, Bikaner

Government Polytechnic, Bikaner started functioning in July 1962.
It imparts training in electrical and mechanical trades besides civil
engineering, and has an intake capacity of 45, 45 and 30 trainees in these
branches, respectively. The details of the strength of the institution
during 1965-66 is given below :

Class

Group of Engineering

Students on roll
(Number)

I Year

Civil

Mechanical

Electrical

11 Year

Civil

Mechanical

Electrical

III Year

Civil

Mechanical

Electrical

The period of training is three years. The first batch of the
students completed their courses in 1965-66.

Industrial Training Institute, Bikaner

The Industrial Training Institute, Bikaner was established in
November, 1959. It has facilities for training persons as black-smiths,
carpenters, draughtsmen (civilj, electricians, fitters and wiremen.
Training period for first five trades is one year and for the rest, it is two
years. The present capacity in each trade and the candidates trained
during 1961-62 tp 1964-65 arc as follows ;

Industries

115

(Number)

Name of the trade

Capacity

Persons trained

during

1964

1961-62

1962-63

1963-64

1964-05

1. Blackrsmith.s

2. Carpenters

3. Draughtsmen (Civil)

4, Electricians

5. Fitters

6. Moulders

7. Sheet metal workers

8. Turners

9, Welders

10. Wiremen

Though it may, at the present moment, be difficult to evaluate the
part played by the trained persons in the area yet there is no denying
the fact that the trained labour would make a valuable contribution to
the development of various industries in the foreseeable future.

Vi'oollcn Cottage Industries Training Institute, Bikaner

The Woollen Cottage Industries Training Institute, Bikaner was
established in 19^0, for the benefit of ex-servicemen and professional
weavers. Initially, the Institute provided training in lacquer work,
carpentry, hosiery, weaving and carpet making. It was reorganised
as Woollen Cottage Industries Training Institute in 1956, after which
it started imparting training in woollen trades, viz. woollen hoisery,
woollen weaving, and manufacturing of woollen carpets, felts and
vanula. Candidates are drawn mainly from the artisan families. The
total scats provided for trainees is 50, of which 25 are for weaving, 12
for hosiery and 13 for carpel making. The duration of training is
one year. The number of candidates trained have been as follows :

Trade

im~62

1962-63

1963-64

1964-65

1965-66

Hosiery

Weaving and carpet

making

176

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — ^Bikaner

A stipend of Rs. 30 per month is given to a trainee coming
from outside the city of Bikaner, whereas Rs. 20 per month is given
to a local trainee.

INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

Land does not pose a problem for starting an industry in the
district. The State Government has constructed an Industrial Estate
at Bikaner, at a cost of Rs, 3,19,685. There are 18 sheds in the Estate.
Area measuring 177 acres has also been earmarked as Industrial Area
out of which a few allotments have been made to some units.

LABOUR LAWS & LABOUR WELFARE

There are no specific wage levels for the labourers but in the
factories covered under the Minimum Wages Act, there exist three
catagories of monthly wage rates, which are:

(a) For skilled workers : Rs. 100

(b) For semi-skilled workers : Rs. 80

The important Acts in force in the district are :

1. Indian Factories Act, 1948

2. Minimum Wages Act, 1948

3. Payment of Wages Act, 1936

4. Employment of Children Act, 1936

5. Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961

6. Working Journalists Act, 1955

7. Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

8. Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923

9. Employees’ Provident Fund Act, 1952

There were two Government Labour Welfare Centres working in
the district, one at Bikaner and the other atJfimsar. The Centre at
Bikaner was opened in 1956 and one at Jumsar in 1958. The facilities
provided at these centres were confined to provision for adult education,
and sewing and tailoring classes and recreation through in-door and
out-door games, library and reading room and music. These centres,
however, were closed down on reasons of economy on 31.7.1965.

LABOURERS’ AND EMPLOYEES’ ORGANISATIONS

There were 35 Trade Unions registered in Bikaner district, at the
end of the year 1965-66, Their list is given in Appendix 111,

industries

177

Appendix

Towns and villages electrified in Bikaner district

till 31st March

, 1966

Akasar

25.

Khara

Bikaner

26.

Kunkunia

Bhinasar

27.

Kakara

Belasar

28.

Kadsu

Bichhwal

29.

Konwalisar

Barsingsar

30.

Mokam

Basi

31.

Naukha Mandi

Berasar

32.

Napasar

Chandi

33.

Nal Chhola Station (Nal Bari)

10.

Chandsar

34.

Palana

11.

Chanakara

35.

Rora

12.

Dcshnoke

36.

Rirmalsar

13,

Devi Kundasagar

37.

Rasisar

14,

Gangashahr

38.

Kolayat

15.

Gajner

39.

Sinthal

16.

Gadhwala

40.

Sorpura

17.

Gusalnsar

41.

Ramsar

18.

Hematsar

42.

Sranglaniwas

19.

Jhajhu

43.

Salundia

20.

Jasrasar

44.

Udramsar

21.

Jamsar

45.

Udasar

22.

Jaimalsar

46.

Udsar

23.

Koraradcsar

47.

Udcsar

24.

KarnTsar

178

RajasAan District Gazctteers—Blkaner

Appendix II

Registered factories in Bikaner district
as on 31st December, 1966

S.No,

Name of thi; factory & address

No. of Osvnarship

workers

employed

3 4

Cotton Ginning & Baling

M/S Darbari Lai Nathu Ram Sach Dev,

G.No. 2 Jassusar Gate, Bikaner.

Private

Wool Baling, Pressing and Cleaning

Bikaner Woollen Press,

Industrial area, Bikaner.

16 .

Bikaner Wool Pratisthan, Bikaner,

1 >

Rajasthiiti Woollen Press, Bikaner.

Walker Angariya & Co., Bikaner.

9 9

6 ,

Bikaner Woollen Mills, Industrial

Area, Rani Bazar, Bikaner.

Ganesh Woollen Pressing Co., Bikaner.

Modern Woollen Mills, Jassusar Gate, Bikaner.

99 ■

Walker Angariya & Sons Private Ltd.,

Wool Merchant, Dhamani Godowns, Bikaner.

10.

Jugal Kishor Ganeshlal Wool Merchant,

Daga Cliowk, Bikaner.

9 *

II.

Walker Angariya & Sons Private Ltd.,

Wool MetcRatvl, CJo Skri Ganeslv Wool
Pressing Co. Ltd,, Bikaner.

12.

Bikaner Wool Pratisthan, Songiri Road,
Bikaner,

13.

Khadi Gram Udyog Pratisthan, Gangashahr
Road, Bikaner.

14.

Walkar Angariya & Sons Private Ltd.,

Songiri Godown, Bikaner.

15.

Mukand Lai Motilal Wool Merchant,

Lassusar Gate, Bikaner.

V6.

Nathmat Bhussidas, Jassusar Gatc^ Bikaner,

17.

Rajasthan Woollen Mills, Jassusar Gate,
Bikaner.

18.

Jugat Kishor Gancshilal, Wool Merchant,
Bikaner,

Industries

179

19.

20 .

21 .

22 .

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30 .

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

Chhalani Woollen Mills, Lalgarh-Gajner
Road, Bikaner.

M/S Shri Mahaveer Wool Merchant, Bikaner,
Jalchand Lai Ghanshyam Das & Co., Bikaner.
Nath Mai Bhairon Bux & Co. Wool Merchant,
Bikaner.

Vishwa Nath Sharma, Industrial Area, Bikaner.
Kamal Singh Narindra Singh Bikaner.

Shri Gopal Gaurishankar, Wool Merchant,
G.No. 3, Jassusar Gate, Bikaner. ,

Shri Gopal Gauri Shankar, Wool Merchant,
G.No. 2, Jassusar Gate, Bikaner.

Ratan Lai Kishan Lai, Wool Merchant, Bikaner.
M/S Bharat Woollen Mills Ltd., Inside
Bikaner Press, Rani Bazar, Bikaner.

Tatters Field Co., Outside Jassusar Gate,
Bikaner.

India Wool Textile Fibre Co , Inside Bikaner
Woollen Press, Rani Bazar, Bikaner.

Shri Gopal Gaurishanker Wool Cleaning
Factory, G.No. 3, Mohta Chowk, Bikaner.
Jugal Kishore Ganeshi Lai, Wool .Merchant,
Inside Bikaner Woollen Press, Bikaner.

Walker Angariya & Co., Inside Ganesh Press,
Naya Shahr, Bikaner.

Prem Ratan Vijai Shanker & Co , Inside
Jassusar Gate, Bikaner.

Ahuja Brolheis Bikaner Woollen Press, Bikaner,
Shri Gopal Gaurishankar & Co., Wool
Cleaning Factory, G.No. 2, Bikaner.

M/S Radha Krishna Manak Lai, Wool
Merchant, Bikaner.

Ganga Ram Satya Narayan, Jassusar Gate,
Bikaner.

M,S Arjun Das Sc. Co., Rani Bazar, Bikaner
Jai Chand I-al Ghanshyam Das, Rani
Bazar, Bikaner,

Pabudlian Champalal, Wool Merchant, Bikaner,

3 4

Private

))

13 .

180

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

1 2 3

42. M/S Gordhan Das Ratan Lai, Wool

Merchant, Bikaner.

Private

43. M/S S.K. Textiles, Gangashahr Road, Bikaner.

Rice Mills

44. Rjjasthan Industrial Corporation, Bikaner

Dal Mills

45. M/S Ratan Industrial Corporation Dal Mills,
Sadulpur.

Woollen & Knitting Mills

46. M/S Rajasthan Khadi Gramodyog Board

Ooni Finishing Plant, Bikaner

47. The Advance Woollen Mill Private Ltd.,
Industrial Area, Bikaner.

48. Govt. Woollen Production Centre, Bikaner.

Government

49. Rajasthan Hosiery Mills, Gajner Road,

Inside Compound of Rajasthan Woollen

Mills, Bikaner.

Private

Saw Mills

50. M/S Chhote Lai Ram Dev Saw Mills, Bikaner. 3

51. Rajasthan Timber Supply Co., Bikaner, 3

52. Bikaner Bend Saw Mills, Bikaner.

53. Bhunesh Ara Machine, Pratapmal Wei), Bikaner. 3

54, Bhanwar Lai Arora Ara Machine, Bikaner.

55. Chunni Lai Sohanlal Ara Machine, Sadar
Bazar, Bikaner.

56. Badri Narain Jeth Mai Ara Machine,
Deshnoke.

57. Shri Mohan Flour Mills, Naukha Mandi.

58. Bhanru Ram Mohanlal, Inside Kot Gate,
near Phul Bai Well, Bikaner.

59. Shri Vishwakarma Engineering Works,
near Power House, Bikaner.

60, M/S Saranjam Karyalaya Khadi Mandir,
Bikaner.

61. M/S Udho Ram Suthar Saw Machine,

St. Road, Naukha,

Industries

I8I

1 2

62. M/s Chunnilal Ramchand, Naukha.

63. Vishwa Kartna Furniture House, Phul Bai
ka Niwas, Bikaner.

64. M/S Napasar Wool and Dal Industry,
Industrial Area, Bikaner.

65. Mahavir Wooden Industries, Rani Bazar,
Bikaner.

3 4

3 Private

Wooden Indnstrics

66. Sadhna Industry, Far Bazar, Bikaner. 3

Letter Press & Lithograpliy, Printing and
Book Binding

67. Government Press, Bikaner. 75

68. Educational Press, Bikaner. 5

69. Mangal Mudranalaya, Bikaner. 3

70. Jai Shri Mahapress, Masjid Road, Bikaner. 3

7 1 . M/S Lalkar Press, Bikaner. 3

72. Laxmi Printing Press, Bikaner. 9

73. M/S Shiv Printing Press, Bikaner 6

74. Maheshwari Printing Press, Bikaner. 7

75. Rajasthan Mudranalya, Bikaner. 2

76. Satish Printing Press, Bikaner. 2

77. Lokmat Press, Hospital Road, Bikaner. 7

78. Chand Printing Press, Bikaner. 3

79. Gopal printing Press, Bikaner. 3

80. Javvahar Press, Jail Road, Bikaner 3

81. Adarsh Mudranalaya, near Dangi Temple

Bikaner. 3

82. RamKishan Printing Press, Naukha. 2

83. Pawan Art Press, Bikaner. 3

S4. Pclhal Mudran Mandir, near Chowtina Well,

Bikaner, I

85. M/S Swasth Sarita Press, inside Kot Gate,

Bikaner. 3

86. Time of Rajasthan Press, Kot Gate, Bikaner. 3

87. Bikaner Art Publisher Ltd.. Fort, Bikaner. 9

8S. Shri Ratan Fine Art Press, Bikaner. P

’ - t ' ^

Government

Private

182

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

89.

Fine &, Pharmaceutical, Chemical etc.
Mohta Ayurvedic Rasayanshala, Station

Road, Bikaner.

Private

90.

Rolling into Basic Form

Bharat Metal Iron Works, Bikaner.

91,

Rough Castings

Mundra Metal Works, Bikaner.

92.

Railway Workshop

Loco Carriage and Wagon Workshop, Bikaner.

1398

Govt.

93.

Manufacturing of Bicycles

R.C.A, Industries, Dhan Ka Phar, Bikaner.

Private

94.

Manufacturing of Ice

The Rampuria Ice Factory, Bikaner.

95.

Plastic Articles

M/S Bikaner Polythene Products, Bikaner. ’

96.

Others

Friends Engineering Works, Bikaner.

97.

Workshop, Electrical Mechanical Deptt.,
Bikaner.

Govt.

98.

Rajasthan Engineering Products, Bikaner.

Private

99.

M/S Udai Electric Industries, Metre House,
Industrial Estate, Bikaner.

75 .

100.

Rajasthan State Electricity Board, Bikaner;

287

Local Fund

Source : List of Factories & Biolcrs issued by Chief Inspector of Factories &

Boilers, Rajasthan, Jaipur,

Industries

i83

Appendix ill

Trade Unions in Bikaner District

S.No.

Name of the Union Date of

Member-

Registration

ship

1 .

Palana Colliery Mazdoor Union, Palana.

N.A.

Bikaner Division P.W.D. Mazdoor Union,
Bikaner.

7.1.57

Gypsum Mine Workers Union, Jamsar.

8.7.58

704

Palana Colliery Karmachari Union, Palana.

2.9.58

Bikaner Press Employees’ Union, Bikaner.

15.9.58

Sindri Fertilisers Jamsar Workers Union,
Jamsar.

30.6.59

Rajasthan Govt. Press Karmachari Union,
Bikaner.

1.7.60

Bikaner Govt. Press Employees Union,
Sakhlacha, Katla, Bikaner.

6.10.60

Bikaner Municipal Karmachari Sangh,
Khajanchi Building, Bikaner.

27.1.61

400

10.

Bikaner Division Trade Union Council,
Khajanchi Building, Bikaner.

14.4.61

11.

Water Works Employees Union, Khajanchi
Building, Bikaner.

1 0.7.6 1

300

12.

Garden Labour Union, Khajanchi Building,
Bikaner.

2.8.61

119

13.

Bikaner Upwan Mazdoor Sangh, Bikaner.

14.8.61

14.

Rashiriya Jal Mazdoor Union, Bikaner.

23.8.61

15.

Power House Mazdoor Union, Bikaner.

9.9.61

350

16.

Bcgayat Karmachari Union, Bikaner.

5.9.62

17.

Palrma Colliery Workers Union, Bikaner.

31.5.65

18.

Bikaner Cinema Karmachari Union, Bikaner.

26.8.63

19.

Bikaner M.E.S. Workers Union, Bikaner.

30.8.63

20.

Metal & EnginecringWorkers Union, Bikaner.

26.10.63

21.

Raslitriya Gypsum Karmachari Sangh, Jamsar.

29.1.64

300

184

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— fiikanel

22.

Hospital Employees Union, Bikaner.

22.5.64

23.

Rajasthan Bijli Board Karmachari Sangh,
Bikaner.

17.6.64

24,

Motor Mazdoor Sangh, Bikaner.

23.11.64

25,

P.B.M. Hospital Karmachari Union, Bikaner.

23.11.65

26.

P.W.D. Employees Union, Bikaner.

11.8.65

150

27.

Rashtriya Oonth Chalak Congress, Bikaner.

31.8.65

28.

Rashtriya Tonga Chalak Congress, Bikaner.

31.8.65

29.

Tonga Union, Bikaner.

2.9.65

565

30.

Gada Thela Union, Bikaner.

20.11.65

LOO

31.

Wool Labour Union, Bikaner.

25.11.65

32.

Rajasthan Oon Mazdoor Congress, Bikaner.

17.12.65

150

33.

Camelmen & Mines Workers Union, Bikaner.

17.12.65

100

34.

Rashtriya Nagar Parishad Karmachari
Congress, Bikaner.

17.12.65

35.

Rajasthan Zila Factories Workers Union,
Bikaner.

21.12.66

Chapter vi

BANKING, TRADE AND COMMERCE

BANKING AND FINANCE

Historical Aspect

Before the advent of modern joint stock banking, the Shroffs and
Mahajans were carrying on the business of banking on indigenous lines,
but the scope for their business was limited in the then Bikaner State
on account of low agricultural productivity and the consequential
paucity of industrial raw material.

With the beginning of canal irrigation in the northern parts of
the then Bikaner State, new avenues of financing agriculture opened up
for bankers and money lenders and the bulk of the credit in the canal
area, as in other parts of the State, was handled by them.

A committee was appointed by the State Government in 1929
to enquire into the banking conditions in the then Bikaner State, which
comprised the present Bikaner, Ganganagar and Churu districts, on
the lines followed by the Banking Enquiry Committe, formed for
British India. According to the Report of the Bikaner Banking
Enquiry Committee, published in 1930, the following credit agencies
were then in existence ;

1. Indigenous bankers and money lenders

2. Co-operative Societies

3. Bikaner Government

The indigenous bankers and money lenders played a very
important part in the State’s rural and urban economies. Next came the
co-operative societies, wherever formed. The Government of Bikaner
also advanced taccavi loans.

The agriculturist was thus able to borrow money from money
lenders, co-operative societies and the Government of Bikaner. The
indigenous money lenders advanced loans either on personal security
or guarantee or on the security of crops or some other collateral securi-
ties, These indigenous bankers mixed transactions in money with their
business as commission agents and grain and cattle merchants. They
enabled cultivators to buy livestock, grain, seed and hay from them on

l86

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

credit, on the condition that their crops, when raised, would be sold to
the money lender, who would also charge interest. This often resulted
in the farmer having to pay more with little choice in accepting the
creditor’s price for his produce. The actual terms of such financial
arrangements varied with individual debtors, depending on their relative
bargaining strength.

The money lenders often made advances on standing crops,
estimating the contribution of the cultivator in terms of his labour, the
cost of seed and other accessories being borne by the money lender
himself. The cultivator was then guaranteed a small profit. According
to the Banking Enquiry Committee, 1929, such money lenders were
naturally more concerned with their own business rather than assisting
the cultivators, but there is no denying the fact that substantial measure
of assistance was often given by these money lenders, nor was it- a
wholesale truth that it always led to victimisation of the farmer.

The functions of the indigenous bankers and money lenders were
discharged by persons belonging to Agarwal, Maheshwari, Oswal,
Saraogi, Modi, Brahmin and Sikh communities, as also by Zamindars
(Rajputs and Jats) in the then Bikaner State.i According to 1921 Census
of Bikaner State, it was found that number of the money lenders and
indigenous bankers, engaged solely in banking and money lending, was
4734.

The system of indigenous money-lending and banking was not
an organised one, as different people followed different practices. Almost
the whole of the business of advancing agricultural credit was carried
on by these indigenous bankers and money lenders while the landlords
played little part in it. These two agencies granted loans for every
requirement of the cultivator while co-operative societies, wherever
formed, rendered only small help. They granted loans for purchase of
seeds, repayable in six months, for purchase of cattle and ploughs,
repayable in two years and one year respectively and for other miscella-
neous requirements, repayable at the time of next harvest. Normally, the
period of maturity of a loan was till the next harvesting time, but it was
often extended when the debtor was not in a position to repay. Indigenous
money lenders were thus flexible in their dealings provided they were
convinced that their money was safe. The co-operative societies would
suspend recovery during a period of adversity and this was a distinct

1. Report of Bikaner Banking Enquiry Committee, 1929.

Banking, Trade and Commerce

187

advantage over the terms of money lenders. However, the co-operative
movement had limited operational area before 1930. In the case of
government loans, people resented repayment of taccavi, if recovered
inspite of a failure of crops.

The rate of interest charged by the money lenders ranged from
18| to 75 per cent per annum, while that charged by the landlords was
24 per cent, by the co-operative societies, 12 J per cent and by the
Government 6 per cent per annum.

The money lenders were classified into the following three cate-
gories according to their area of operation ;

1- Village money lenders

2. Town money lenders

3. Big indigenous bankers.

The village money lenders were at the lowest rung of the ladder
and lent money to the agriculturists and other villagers and sold grain,
seeds, cattle etc., on credit, to the cultivators. These money lenders could
be divided into two groups : (i) those who owned land and advanced
money to their less fortunate brethren and (ii) those whose exclusive
professional. business was money lending.

Next in importance were the town money lenders. They could
again be divided into two groups, viz., those whose business was limited
to the area of the town and neighbouring suburbs and others who
practised this hereditary profession on a large , scale and had business
arrangements in various towns and cities of India.

The indigenous bankers were more or less organised like joint-
stock banking system. They received deposits, allowed withdrawals on
current accounts, dealt in negotiable instruments (Miiddaii and Darshani
Htindis) and commercial documents e.g. Railway Receipts, and the like.
But even these indigenous bankers lacked organisation to cope with the
growing and complex financial needs of trade, run on modern lines.

The following practices were generally followed by the indigenous
bankers :

1. Advancing loans against rnoMissoRV, notes— This w'as the
simplest form of advance. Some, bankers and money lenders got a
separate pronotc executed for the loans advanced, while others were

188

Rajasthan District Gazettecrs—Blkaner

satisfied with only a receipt for the loan or would get the signatures
the borrower in their account books called bahis.

2. MORTGAGING-This was also a common mode of advancing
loans. The debtor offered to mortgage his piece of land, house or
shop against the desired loan. The money lenders generally advancea
money to such borrowers upto the extent of 50 per cent of the curren
market value of the property or as may be negotiated between them.

3. Dastawez — This was another mode of granting loans. The
only difference between a pronote and a Dastawez was that, in case o
pronote, the loan was repayable on demand, though there was usua y a
tacit understanding about the period of the loan, while in case o s. as
wez, the creditor could not ask for repayment before the stipulated time.

A. Khandi— This type, of loan was granted to people of mode-
rate means e.g. clerks, artisans and petty merchants and, was repayable
in convenient instalments.

5. Pawning— Under this system, gold and silver ornaments
were pawned with the money lenders against the money advanced by
them.

Other type of loans were known as Khata Feta and Hath Udltar.
In the Kbata Feta system the entry of the borrowed money was made
in the account books {Khata) while Hath-udhar loans were raised for
very short periods and the transaction was not entered in any commercial
book, the amount being carried over as cash balance and an informal
note to this effect made thereof.

Some money lenders in villages and the neighbouring mandis
advanced loans in kind to cultivators in" the form of seeds, cattle, manure
etc. This was generally done when the crop was sown.

There were itinerant money lenders also who were generally

called banjaras or Fheriwalas.
their camels or bullocks lad
tobacco and, sometimes, cl
converting the price into a dc
reappeared to recover it wher

t from village to village with
It, spices, oil, jaggery, sugar,
sold these articles on credit,
a certain rate of interest and
verc ready.

According to the Bikai
indigenous bankers and m
agricultural operations from

; Enquiry Committee, 1929, the
s financed the whole of the
nd so\ving to harvc 5 ting. Tliey

Banking, Trade and Commerce

189

marketed the agriculturists’ produce, provided money for even their
daily needs, did commission agency business, imported into the area
cereals, cloth and other necessaries of life and thus played a very
important part in the economic life of the people. They also financed
the subsidiary industries and trade of the State.

Government loans — Taccavi loans, granted by the erstwhile
State of Bikaner, were restricted to the owners and occupiers of arable
land and the purposes of these loans were to provide relief from distress
caused by famines etc., the purchase of seeds or cattle and any other
agricultural purpose. Taccavi loans were disbursed to the Kliatedars
through the tahsildars. The amount was to be reimbursed by the
debtor when the crop had been harvested, if it was advanced for the
purchase of seed. If it was for the purchase of cattle, repayment
fell due after a year. In case of failure of crop, however, the recovery
was generally suspended till the next harvest. Ever since this system
came into force, it proved of immense value in times of distress
caused by drought or epidemics and also met the cultivators’ current
needs. It was being gradually replaced by the co-operative credit
system which assured more capital than could be spared by the
Government.

Indebtedness

According to the findings of the Banking Enquiry Committee,
1929, the extent of agricultural indebtedness was of the order of
Rs. 174 per head while the non-agricultural indebtedness stood at
E.S. 290 per head. As per Rural Credit Survey (1956-57), conducted
by the Reserve Bank of India, it was observcdi that 60'7 per cent of
the. rural families were under debt at the end of April 1957. The
average debt per family as on 1st May, 1956 was reckoned at Rs. 442,
which increased to Rs. 702 at the end of April, 1957. A further
analysis of these figures indicated that 59.9 per cent of the debt was
taken for consumption purposes, 27*6 per cent for agricultural purposes,
7*6 per cent for non-farming business purposes, 3.5 per cent for the
repayment of old debts and 1‘4 per cent for other purposes.^

Causes or Indhbtedness— The Bikaner Banking Enquiry Com-
mittee, 1929, listed the following as the main purposes of agricultural
debts ;

1. R'tral Credit Fcthw-tip Surrey (1956-57^, Genera! Report^ Reserve Bank of India,
r- 3S.

2. ibid., p. 59.

190

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bllcaner

1 . Repayment of ancestral debts,

2. Marriage, death feasts and other social cefemonies,

3. Famine and other kinds of distress caused by the failure of
crops,

4. Purchase of seeds, ploughs and manures,

5. Litigation,

6. Purchase of cattle, and

7. Growth of the debt, with compound interest, not having
been paid.

The basic reason of a considerable extent of rural indebtedness
lies even now in the poverty of the people, resulting from poor quality
of soil, lack of irrigation facilities and scanty apd erratic rainfall.
A..VQidable aad imptudewt sadal cus.tQm& also make a heavy dent in
their meagre resources, further strained by the brunt of periodical
visitations of drought and famine.

Co-operative Movement

Co-operative movement was introduced iP the district in
1920, with a view to diminishing rural indebtedness, promoting thrift
and self help among agriculturists, artisans and other persons of
limited means and bringing credit facilities within their reach. In
March 1920, Co-operative Societies Act was passed and the first
Registrar of Co-operative Societies of Bikaner State appointed. In
1924, a qualified Co-operative Inspector was appointed. The first
co-operative credit society was formed for tha Jodhpur-Bikaner
Railway employees, but after the break-up of the joint adminis-
tration of Jodhpur-Bikaner Railway from 1st November, 1924, a
separate Bikaner State Railway Employees’ Co-operative Society was
registered in the month of July, 1925. It started working on 1st
September, 1926, with a membership of 140 and paid-up share capital
of Rs. 6,290. It made a steady progress and its share capital stood at
Rs. 47,090 and working capital at Rs. 1,18,533, with membership of
762, at the end of 1941-42, In 1946-47, its share capital came
down to Rs. 44,980 and membership to 740.- The movement showed
signs of progress in other fields also. At the end of October, 1936,
the total number of primary co-operative societies in all fields was
106, with membership of 2338j share capital of Rs. 54,217 and
working capital, including deposits and loans from the Co-operative

Banking, Trade and Commerce

191

Union, of Rs. 5,52,083. In order to encourage the movement it was
decided to exempt societies registered under the Co-operative Societies
Act, from stamp duty and Registration fees.

The following table indicates the progress of co-operative
movement during the period 1925-26 to 1930-31 ;

Year

No. of
Co-operative
Societies

Membership

Capital

(Rs.)

Working

Capital

(Rs.)

1925-26

651

1,625

—

1926-27

1,056

21,124

96,544

1927-28

1,434

40,872

201,226

1928-29

1,724

43,330

249,302

1929-30

1,942

45,866

320,290

1930-31

102

2,229

50,751

457,705

' ^"*eld‘ oT CO-

Nothing spectacular, however, happe^pd^^^ ^

operation in the region which is now inclu^eSjy rf^^tafiv^di^tricti Tro'm-
the year 1936 till Independence. In the,5y§af^^.^8yW JDrdihahTcr'v^s
promulgated which repealed the Bikane?' Stat^ Co-operative Socie.ids'
Act, 1920. The former was replaced -by the ^ Rajasthan Co-operative
Societies Act 1953, substituted later 'by, thp R~ajasthan -Co-operative'
Societies Act, 1965. After the formatibnX^CR^jastlian'^'^’the district
ofBce of the Assistant Registrar Co-operaliVe Societies ;was established
at Bikaner on 8.5.1957. Prior to this, Assistant Registrar, Co-operative
Societies, headquartered at Ganganagar was concurrently looking
after Bikaner district. Co-operative credit societies advance loans to
their members for the purchase of seeds, fertilisers, implements etc.

During the year 1956-57, there were 63 co-operative societies
with a membership of 6, 74S, in the district. Their share capital was
Rs. 32.0S1 and loans of the order of Rs, 8,07,347 were advanced by
them during the year. The number of co-operatwe societies increased
to 342 and their membership to 23,822 till 1961-62, Their share
capital stood at Rs. 11,60,926 and the loans advanced increased to
Rs. 19,27,301. There were in all 431 co-operative institutions with
a membership of 43,669 as on 30.6.67. Their paid-up share capital
w.as Rs. 24.36,063 and loans advanced by them during the year 1966-67

\92

Rajasthan District Gazetteers—Bikaner

amounted to Rs. 34,98,578. The following table indicates the cate-
gon'-wise position of co-operative institutions at the end of June 1967^ .

S No. Type Number ' Member- Paid-up Loans advan*

ship share ced during
capital the year
(No.) (Rs.) (Rs .)

I. Central Co-operative Bank

272

4,81,700

10,47,619

2. Agricultural Credit Societies

186

18,668

3,96,283

8,46,773

3. Non-Agricultural Credit
Societies

9,332

6,88,001

15,96,079

4. Primary Marketing Societies

484

41,870

— _

5. Milk Supply Societies

182

13,010

6. Sheep Bleeding Societies

155

15,815

' —

7. Farming Societies

4,710

8. Non-Agricultural Non. Credit
Societies

1,355

1,24,264

38,242

9. Central Consumers’ Store

569

1,86,790

— •

10. Primary Consumers’ Stores

7,384

1,65,220

—

11. Housing Societies

2,910

—

1 2. Weavers’ Societies

1,464

1,57,125

—

13. Other Industrial Societies

992

1,04,171

—

14. District Institute

175

—

15. Societies under liquidation

2,548

—

Scheduled Banks

State Savings Bank, Bikaner — In order to promote the habit of
thrift among (he State employees and other members of the public, the
Princely Government of Bikaner started a Savings Bank on ISth July,
1928. The Bank, while promoting a voluntary habit of thrift, offered more
lucrative rates of interest, on investments, than the Postal Savings Bank.
The scope of business of this bank enlarged when it was allowed to
finance the development of industries, as well as to afford facilities to the

). Source ; Oflice of the Registrar, Co-operative Societies, RSjasthSn, Jaipur."

Banking, Trade and Commerce

193

generai public in the conduct of their daily business The business of
the State Savings Bank made exceptionally rapid progress within a short
time of its existence and the working of the bank had been attended by
exceedingly good results, which was the direct outcome of the several
facilities offered by it to the public. The following figures give some
idea of the transactions carried out by it :

(Rs. in ’000)

1929-30

1 930-31

1931-32

Deposits

With-

drawals

Deposits

With-

drawals

Deposits

With-

drawals

Fixed

Deposits

4,780

1.297

16,485

5,923

30,285

14,700

Savings Bank
Accounts

310

163

805

603

985

544

Current

Accounts

527

438

1,354

1,314

2,9B2

2,577

The Bank added six branches in 1929, of which one was at
Bikaner city and five at other important towns of the State. During
the year 1930-31, on the pressing demand from the public, five more
branches were opend, one at Railway Workshop, Bikaner and the other
four at important places in Canal area. The Railway Workshop branch
afforded all the postal facilities also to the inhabitants since there was
no post office in the vicinity. During the year 1935-36, the scope of
activities of the bank was very much widened and it was permitted to
transact all descriptions of banking business, with special regard to
(1) Savings bank accounts, (2) Current accounts, (3) Fixed deposits,
(4) Loans, ovcrdrafis and cash credits, (5) Collections and Remittances,
(6) Sale and Purchase orSccuritics,(7) Safe custody of articles, (8) Letters
of credit and travellers’ cheques and (9) S.ifc deposit Boxes, available to
the public at a nominal rent.

The Bank acted as a representative in Bikaner for encashing letters
of credit and iraYcliers’ cheques of a number of banks of high standing
in and outside the country. It also acted as an agent for ten premier
insurance companies for payment of premium free of any charge.

With the opening of the Bank of Bikaner Ltd., on 31st January,
1945, the State Savings Bank stopped functioning. Its management was
transferred to the former with effect from 3ist December. 1945.

194

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

The particulars of joint stock banks presently functioning in the
district are given below :

Name of the Bank

Name of the branch

Date of
establishment

1. The Central Bank of

The Central Bank of India Ltd.

India Ltd.

Bikaner

5.9.1964

2. The Bank of Rajasthan

The Bank of Rajasthan Ltd.,

7.9. 1 96 1

Ltd.

Bikaner

3. State Bank ofBikaner

1, State Bank of Bikaner and

& Jaipur

Jaipur, Public Park, Bikaner

31.1.1945

2. State Bank of Bikaner and
Jaipur, Kote Gate, Bikaner

3. State Bank of Bikaner and

25.11.1946

Jaipur, City Branch, Bikaner

15.2.1945

4, State Bank of Bikaner and
Jaipur, Lnnkaransar

5. State Bank of Bikaner and

24.2.196 >

Jaipur, Naukha

2.1.1961

4. The United Commer-

The United Commercial Bank

cial Bank Ltd.

Ltd., Bikaner

28.9.1958

5. The Punjab National

The Punjab National Bank

Bank Ltd.

Ltd., Bikaner

26.10.19i6

6. The Central Co-ope-

The Central Co-operative

rative Bank Ltd.

Bank Ltd., Bikaner

19.5.1951

Rajasthan Financial Corporation

To assist the industries by grant of long term loans, the Rajas-
than Financial Corporation was established in 1955, with its head-
quarter at Jaipur. Till the end of 1965-66, two concerns from the district
applied for loans of a total of Rs. 3,00,000 of which one, viz. The China
Ware and Potteries was sanctioned Rs. 2,16,000.

Insurance

Before the nationalisation of life insurance, ten well known
insurance companies were functioning in the then Bikaner State. Most

Banking, Trade and Commerce

195

of these companies were dealing in both life and general insurance
business. Life insurance business has now been taken over by the Life
Insurance Corporation of India. The field ofiicers of the Corporation
who are known as Development Officers, are assigned the task of
developing the field organisation.^They appoint agents, educate them and
supervise their working for maximum new business and render on the
spot help to the policy holders in the area. These development officers
are posted at practically all the tahsil headquarters in the district.

State Insurance — During the year 1927-28, the then Bikaner
State Government introduced a scheme of life insurance and endow-
ment assurance in order to promote the habit of thrift among the State
government employees. The scheme was kept optional initially for two
years and then for another year. It was, thereafter made compulsory.
The rates of premium were comparatively lower than those fixed by
other reputed private insurance companies and these were exempted
from tax. Policy holders in need could get short loans against the
amounts deposited as premiums. Policies were neither alienable nor
could be attached in execution of decrees of civil courts or realisation
of State claims. These benefits were later extended to the general public
when the operational area of the state insurance was widened.

The 1953 Compulsory State Insurance Scheme for all the emplo-
yees of Rajasthan, was made applicable in Bikaner district with effect
from 1st March, 1954. The scheme was extended in three stages. In
the first stage, it applied to all the permanent government employees
drawing a pay of Rs. 51 and above. In the second stage, it was also
extended to all the permanent employees drawing a pay between Rs. 35
and Rs. 50. Finally, the scheme brought into its purview all the perma-
nent employees of the State Government. It also covered employees of
the Panchayat Samltis and Zila Parishads, but later exempted them with
effect from 1st February, 1962, continuing, however, for officials covered
by it prior to that date. In I960, the scheme was made applicable also to
all the temporary state emplojecs who had put in one year’s service
with the exception of those who were not likely to be made permanent.
An Insurance Supervisor, with other siaff, has been posted at Bikaner
to look after the work in the district.

National Savings

PnVr to the merger of the State into Rajaslhrm savings could be
invested in Post office deposits and Postal Certificates, Bikaner 'State

196

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Savings Bank, co-operative societies and Government loans. According
to the observations of the Bikaner Banking Enquiry Committee, 1929,
certain people did not resort to any of the above modes of investment
but purchased gold and silver with whatever- they saved, compelled, as
they felt, by social customs which considered ornaments essential to
keep the prestige of the family and for dowry.as stridhan.

Before 1948, the administrative control of working of the small
savings schemes was with the State Government. Authorised agents
for the sale of National Savings Certificates on 2i per cent commission,
were appointed. For Bikaner State the work was being supervised by
the State’s National Savings Adviser, who was headquartered at
Jodhpur. An ofBce of National Savings Organisation was established
in the district in 1949. At present, the organisation of the National
Small Savings Scheme consists of one Assistant Regional Director,
in-charge of Bikaner, Ganganagar, Churu and Nagaur districts,
who is assisted by one District Organiser and one upper division clerk,
for Bikaner. The following figures show the total gross collections
made under various schemes during the last five years :

(Rs. in thousand)

Year

Schemes

N. S. Cs.i

T.S.D.C./A.C.2

P.O S.B.S

C.T.D.4

Total

1961-62

380

1,223

1,684

1962-63

200

1,063

1,418

1963-64

188

—

1,045

132

1,365

1964-65

342

1,179

100

1,661

1965-66

315

1,404

119

1,839

•' "'The following measures were taken to intensify the progress of
Small Savings Scheme in Bikaner district.

1. Organisation of training camps of extra-departmental branch
Post Masters and agents,

2. Launching of Savings drives.

J. N. S. Cs. — National Savings Certificates.

2. T. S. D. C./A. Cs. — Tteasury Savings Deposits Certirlcatcs/^nnuity Certificates.

3. P. O. S. B. — Post Office Savings Bank.

4. C. T. D. — Cumulative Time Deposits.

Banking, Trade and Commerce

197

3, Seeking the help of various Heads of Offices/Departments,
Local Bodies and associations etc., to promote the scheme in their
respective spheres to secure investments, appoint agents, form pay-rolls
and savings groups and invest provident funds of the employees in
savings certificates.

4, Introduction of Pay-rolls Savings Group in Railway workshop
at Bikaner. At the end of the year 1965-66, there were about 375
members of the group. Pay-rolls Saving Groups were also functioning
in Panchayat Samitis,. Ltinkaransar and Bikaner.

Bikaner Coins

There are no coins extant which may have been struck by the
rulers of Bikaner before they acknowledged the vassalage of the Delhi
Empire. No coins have been found which could be attributed to the
early rulers of the area. Before the opening of the mint by Maharaja
Gaj Singh, the Farruk S/talii rupee (coin of the Emperor Farruk Siyar),
was in currency, Maharaja Gaj Singh obtained a Sanad from Emperor
Alamgir II permitting him to strike coins. Although it is claimed that
this privilege was granted in Samvat 1809 (a. d, 1753), no record is
available to substantiate this claim. It appears that coins were struck
only after the year 1759, the first year of Shah Alam’s reign. From the
time of Maharaja Gaj Singh, all coins of the State were struck in the
name of Shah Alam, till 1859, when the name of the Queen of England
was first cut on the die.

Each ruler adopted a special device to distinguish his coins from
the others. This was done by means of difTcrent symbols marked on
the coins. For instance. Pataka, Dlivaja or Flag stood a symbol for
Maharaja Gaj Singh, Tristile or Trident for Maharaja Surat Singh and
Kirnia or a turban star for Maharaja Ratan Singh while for Maharaja
Sardar Singh it was a Cbhata or Umbrella, for Maharaja Dungar Singh,
a Cbaiiri or Fly-mask and for Maharaja Ganga Singh, a Morcbbal or
Peacock feather fly-whisk.

Gold coins had never been struck in the State and each of these
rulers issued only silver and copper coins. Both the mzr (especially
fine and of full weight) and ordinary rupees were issued. Maharajas
Sardar Singh and Dungar Singh issued smaller silver coins of the value
of a half, a quarter, and one eighth of a rupee also. The weight of a
Bikaner rupee was reported to be 174 grains, vdth purity content of
\(uAl grains. Prior to the days of Maharaja Sardar Singh, the copper

198

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

coins were very poorly struck and also varied a good deal in weight.
The copper coins of Maharajas Sardar Singh and Dungar Singli are
reported to be very fairly stamped and those of Maharaja Ganga
Singh, the best executed in Rajputana States.

The coins of both these metals were called after the name of the
respective Maharaja, proceeded by the word Shalii. The Durbar did not
issue the coins but merely kept the Sikka or die and minted the coins
after purifying the metal, when Sabukars (merchants) or other people
brought them. 1,025 masbas of silver had to be provided for getting every
100 rupees each weighting 10 masbas, struck, the extra 25 masbas
accounted for wastage in melting, custom duty, cleaning charges
assaying and weighing charges etc.i

TRADE AND COMMERCE

The export- and import trade of the then Bikaner State, steadily
kept pace with the introduction of improved means of communication
and specially after the spread of a net-work of Railway lines A separate
Department of Commerce and Industry was created in 1920. An
Industrial Exhibition was organised in the State during the Pfeace
Celebrations, in December 1919, in which agricultural, mineral and' other
products of the State were exhibited. The exhibition created widespread
interest and gave an impetus to industrial production in the State. The
State Government took an active part in the British Empire Exhibition;
wherein Bikaner indigenous arts and crafts articles ’were exhibited. Most
of the exhibits elicited general appreciation and led to large demand
for them from outside the State.

Imports and Exports

The major items of import were xicc, kiraiia, cloth, salt, sbisbam-
wood perfumery, ghee, oils of all kinds, country tobacco for smoking,
gold and gold ornaments, silver and silver, ornaments, lead, zinc, tin
fur, molasses, unrefined sugar, fancy goods and coal. The main
items of export were wool, hides, sarson, taramira and bones.

Marketing

Before the introduction of railways,- distances were large and
means of communication meagre and the villages were almost self-
sufficient economic units. The distribution of occupations was simple

j. Webb, W. W., 77ie Currencies of Hindu Slates of li&jput'Sna, 1893, pp. 55 to <53.

banking, Trade and Commerce

199

and each village produced most of its food requirements and obtained
other articles of daily necessity, from places nearby. But after the
development of the means of communication, a few inamlis came into
existence. At present, there are three manclis in this district viz. Bikaner,
Naukha and Lankaransar. These are discussed in detail in subsequent
paragraphs. In addition, there are weekly markets in each village
known as Painths or hats, whete food and other articles are brought
and sold. Bulk of the village produce, however, is either sold in the
village itself or purchased by the village money-lender. For want of
quick means of transport, primitive carriages are used, resulting is
belated arrivals in the mandis and wastage in transit, due to leakage.

The village money-lenders, merchants and the dealers are the
major agencies who arrange marketing of the produce from the village
to the mandis and from there further to fthe consumption and
exporting centres. They provide necessary finance, enter into necessary
negotiations for the sale of the produce and finally arrange its carriage
from place to place according to the requirements of the trade.

Storage

There has been a general dearth of good storage accommodation
for village produce. At the mandi centres the traders take godowus on
rent, for the storage of grain, cotton and wool (called beaches), with no
provision for insurance against loss by fire or theft.

Rajasth^k State Warehousing Corporation— A centre of the
Rajjisthan State Warehousing Corporation was established at Bikaner
in April, 1960, The year-wise figures of produce, offered for storage at
Bikaner, are given below :

Year

Produce offered

(Tonnes)

1961-62

100

1962-63

355

1963-04

1423

1964-65

139

The articles stored were Moons, Wheat, Gram, Barley, Bajra,
Moth, Jowar, Gur, Mcthi, Cotton seed, Linseed and Oil, Chillies
and Vegetable Ghee. The Corporation had been running this Centre
in a hired building. Owing to small arrivals since 1964-65, the staff of
State Warehouse. Bikaner was temporarily withdrawn.

20U

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — -Bikaner

Mandis

Bikaner — Bikaner Mandi is a state regulated market, since July
1956. The main commodities brought to this Mandi for purchase and
sale are Wheat, Bajra, Barely, Jowar, Gram, Moong, Groundnut, Til,
Chillies and Wool. Bikaner is a Northern Railway junction station,
an important distribution centre, as well as the biggest wool market of
Rajasthan. The hinterland of the market extends to the area of Bikaner
Panchayat Saraiti and about 30 villages of Panchayat Samiti Kolayat.
The approximate annual arrivals of these commodities in the market
area are 3,78,080 quintals, valued at Rs. 420.65 lakhs. Eighty per cent
of the produce is brought to the market by the producers. The total
number of functionaries, operating in the market, is 696, consisting of 39
wholesalers-cum-general commission agents, 339 retailers, 112 traders
of wool, four brokers, 200 Hamals and weighmeo, one co-operativ“
marketing society and one Warehouse man.

Market charges, operating in the Mandi before and after its
regulation, are given in the following table :

(Rs.)

Market charges for produce worth Rs. 100

Kind of (he

Prior to Regulation

After Regulation

Market Charges i

Cereals

Oil-

seeds

Wool

Cereals

Oil-

seeds

Wool

Commission

2.00

1.75

1.25

Dalali

0.07

0.08

0.07

0.05

Hainan

0.07

—

0.07

0.04

Weighment

0.07

0.15

0*07

0.07

0.03

Cartage (from station
to mandi

0.20

0.10

0.18

0.10

Unloading from cart

0.04

—

Excess weight

0.20

3.75

—

Insurance of godown

0.06

—

....

Godown Rent

0.10

O.IO

0.15

0.10

0.05

10.

Goshala

O.Ol

0.01

.....

--JI

11.

Dharmada

0.06

0.03

—

; ,

. — ,

12.

Brahmacharya Ashram

0.06

j- --

13.

Muddat

0.35

0.30

0.31

....

14,

Association charges

—

0.03

....

—

15.

Postage

0.01

0.02

....

16,

Cost of Bora

1.50

_ ■ .

17.

Refilling «& stitching
of Bora

—

0.10

Total

3.30

3.25

7.87

1.74

1.74 .

1.62

Banking, Trade and Commerce

201

A Market Committee, consisting of the representatives of agricul-
turists, traders, co-operative organisation, Panchayat Samiti and the
Government, looks after the regulation of buying and selling of agri-
cultural produce, in the mandi. Market regulations are designed to
•prevent exploitation of the farmers or other small traders by merchants
and commission agents. The law seeks to make marketing more efficient,
so that farm produce brings better yields to the producers and is made
available to consumers through the regular distribution system. A
Marketing Inspector at Bikaner looks after the working of the market.

Naukha — Naukha is one of the biggest and the oldest grain
mandis of Bikaner district. The approximate annual arrivals in the
market are 1,00,000 quintals of goods valued at about Rs, 60.68 lakhs.
The number of market functionaries, operating in the market, is 80,
consisting of 14 .traders and wholesalers, 26 retailers and 40 weighmen
and Hamah.

Market charges, in this mandi, for commodities worth Rs. 100,
before and after regulation, are given in the following table :

(Amount in Rs.)

Before regulation

After

regulation

Type of Charges

Cereals

Oilseeds

Cereals

Oilseeds

I. Commission

—

1.00

2. Dlialta

1.30

—

3. Hamali

0.30

4, Weighment

—

0.05

5. Goshaia

0-10

0.10

—

Total

1.70

1.35

The regulated commodities arc Bajra, Jowar, Moong, Moth, Guar,
Arhar and til, within the areas of Panchayat Samiti, Naukha and Naukha
Municipal Board. A market committee, consisting of Government
representatives and the representatives of the co-operative organisation,
regulates the functioning of the mandi.

U!NKARANSAR--This/«^7w//i> located at a distance of approxima-
tely til km. by rail frum Bikaner. There arc 25 market functionaries,
operating in the market, consisting ot five wholesalers and 20 retailers.

202

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

The following table indicates the approximate annual arrivals
of the commodities, in the three mandis of the district and the places
wherefrom these arc imported and where to these are exported :

Commodity Annual Arrivals

(in quintals)

Places wherefrom
imported

Places where
to exported

Bikaner

1. Wool

150,000

Churu, Beawar

Uttar Pradesh,
Punjab, Bombay

2. Wheat

200,000

Ganganagar,

Punjab

—

3. Bajra

125,000

Nagaur, Jaipur

—

4. Gram

50,000

Ganganagar

Madras

5. Jowar

5,000

Punjab, Nagaur

—

6. Moong

10,000

Nagaur, Churu,
Ganganagar

—

7. Guar

100,000

Nagaur, Churu,
Ganganagar

Punjab

8. Cotton seed

25,000

Ganganagar, Ajmer

—

9. Groundnut

10,000

Uttar Pradesh, Merta

—

10. Barley

20,000-

Punjab

—

11. Rice

100,000

Punjab, Udaipur,
Kota, Bassi,
Ganganagar

12. Til

50,000

Nagaur

Madras

13. Chillies
Naukha

10,000

Pali, Beawar

—

1. Moth

50,000

—

Punjab, Bombay,
Gujrat, Madras

2. Bajra

25,000

—

Gujrat, Madras,
Bombay, Punjab

3. Guar

10,000

Madras, Bombay,
Gujrat, Punjab

4. Til

10,000

Madras, Bombay,
Gujrat, Punjab

5. Wheat

10,000

Ganganagar

—

Lunkaransar

1. Bajra

10,000

—

2. Wheat

8,000

Ganganagar

3. Guar

7,000

—

4. Cotton

2,600

—

5. Ttl

7,500

—

Madras, Bombay

6. Moth

11,200

—

Punjab, Bombay

Banking, Trade and Commerce

203

Traders’ and Merchants’ Associations

Following are the important traders’ and merchants’ associations
in the district :

1. Bikaner Vyapar Mandal, K. E. M. Road, Bikaner.

, 2. The Bikaner Pan Traders Association, Bikaner.

3. Cloth Merchants’ Association, Bikaner.

4. United Chamber of Commerce, Bikaner.

5. Iron and Steel Merchants Association, Bikaner.

6. Bullion Association, Bikaner.

7. Bikaner Flour Mills Association, Bikaner.

8. Shri Bikaner Purchuni Anaj Committee, Bikaner.

9. Lohar Association, Bikaner.

10. Cycle Merchants Association, Bikaner.

11. Purchuni Vyapar Sangh, Bikaner.

12. Bikaner Anaj Committee, Bikaner.

13; Halwai Association, Bikaner.

These associations look after the interests of their members and
collectively deal with the Government Departments and Railways, to
help run the business of their members smoothly. They negotiate with
the municipal authorities, with regard to the levy of octroi duty, etc.,
and other matters of common interest. They also collect statistics
about their respective trades and look after the charitable institutions run
with the help of the donations made by sellers and buyers in the mandis.

State Trading

During the Second World War, the prices of essential commo-
dities showed a rising trend. In order to control the supply and prices
of foodgrains, the Food Grains Control Order, 1942, was promulgated
in the erstwhile Bikaner State, on 25th July, 1942, under which it was
made incumbent upon the wholesale dealers to obtain licenses for the
purchase, sale and storage of foodgrains. The export of specified
foodgrains, outside the then Bikaner State, was banned. Kerosene oil
and salt also came under the purview of this Central measure. Further,
the Bikaner State Motor Spirit Rationing Order, 1941 and the Tyre
Rationing Order 1942, were also promulgated in the State w.c.f. 15lh
August, 1941 and 15th August, 1942 respectively. The office of the
Controller of Prices was separated from that of Inspector General of
Customs and Excise, wito used to hold the charge of both the depart-
ments. A post of the Director of Civil SuddHcs v/as created in June.
1141

204

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Similarly, in order to control the prices of cotton cloth and yarn,
the Cotton Cloth and Yarn (Control) Order, 1943 was promulgated,
under which all the dealers in cloth were required to take licenses. A
Textile Merchants Committee was formed for the procurement and
distribution of cloth, allotted to the State by the Textile Commissioner,
Bombay. Depots were opened in the capital and Advisory Committees
were formed to ensure an equitable and quick distribution to the general
public.

After the formation of greater Rajasthan, state control over the
supply and distribution of essential commodities continued in one form
or the other. There were 199 fair price shops (of which 86 in rural
areas) functioning in the district, for the distribution of wheat and
sugar, in 1965-66.

The following figures indicate the quantities of imported wheat,
allotted to thcdistriet, during the last 15 months, ending March 1966;

(Tonnes)

u Month

Wheat

January, 1965

1,935

February, 1965

1,590

March, 1965

1,560

April, 1965

1,590

May, 1965

1,590

June, 1965

1,575

July, 1965

1,575

August, 1965

1,268

September, 1965

736

October, 1965

1,920

November, 1965

1,040

December, 1965

2,112

January, 1966

4,326

February, 1966

3,440

March, 1966

3,388

The allotment of Millo was started from the month of March,
1966 and 896 tonnes of it were allotted to the district, during that month.

Banking, Trade and Commerce

205

Weights and Measures

To provide uniform weights and measures and check fraud, the
Government of the then Bikaner State introduced Bikaner State
Weights and Measures Act, 1934. Under the act, the primary standard of
weight, except for gold and silver.was a seer equal to 80 iohs. It conform-
ed to the standard seer of British India. Standard of weight for gold was
called a ro/cT, equivalent to twelve standard /ncs/ms of British India. The
standard of weight for silver was a silver tola, equivalent to ten standard
Ml as/ms of British India. For the linear measure, the standard yard of
British India, equivalent to 3 standard feet or 36 inches, was adopted.
However, the existing 2 standard-feet-yard of Maimandi Department
was permitted to continue as a measure of residential land in towns
under the new Act. For measuring capacity, a measure containing
one seer of water, at its maximum density, weighed in vacuume, was
adopted.

Under the provisions of the 1934 Act, every standard weight and
measure was to bear a State stamp and was to be registered, in the
manner prescribed by the Government. Use of unregistered w'eights
and measures was punishable with a fine, upto Rs. 50 for first offence
and Rs. 100 for every subsequent offence. Approved standard weights
and measures models were kept in the offices of the tahsildars or
other such places, determined by the Government. Inspectors were
appointed for enforcing, stamping, registering and c;rtifying standard
weights and measures.

Metric System OF Weights aiNb Measures— Rajasthan Weights
and Measures Act, 1954, made operative with effect from 1st September,
1956, enforced the adoption of standardised and uniform weights and
measures of seer, maund etc., throughout the territory of Rajasthan,
Rajasthan Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1958, enacted
on the lines of the Central law, replaced the old act and introduced
the metric system in six districts of Rajasthan, including Bikaner, with
effect from 1st October, 1958. After the expiry of two transitional
years, during which both old and new weights were to continue side by
side, new weights were made compulsory, from 1st October, I960. New
capacity measures were also introduced from 1st April, I960 and made
compulsory with effect from 1st April, 1962. New linear measures were
introduced in the whole of the State with effect from 1st October, 1961
•and made compulsory on 1st October, 1962.

206

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Wide publicity was organised by the Department of Industries
to acquaint the public with the new system of weights and measures.
There is one Weights and Measures office at Bikaner, With laboratories
at Bikaner and Naukha. There are four Inspectors and one Assistant
Inspector (posted at Naukha), looking after the work in Bikaner
district. To assist them, are two lower division clerks, five manual
assistants and two peons. Dealers are granted licences liberally for
the sale of metric weights and measures and they are required to main-
tain a stipulated minimum stock of weights etc.

CHAPTER VII

COMMUNICATIONS

OLD ROUTES

SufScient information is not available about tbe old routes
except what can be gathered from the old Gazetteers and the writings
of early foreign travellers who visited this area. Lieutenant A. H. E.
Boileau has mentioned the following trade routes in his report publi-
shed in 19371.

208

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Some mention has also been made by Captain Burtoni about the
trade routes in his report for the year 1872-73 which says that a
principal trade route ran from Delhi via Bhivsfani, in Hisar. to
Rajgarh in Bikaner, whence one line proceeded to Bikaner city via
Reni. The other important trade route mentioned was from Baha-
walpur (now in Pakistan) via Majgarh and Pngal to the city of Bikaner.

Captain P. W. Powlett mentioned that there were practically no
roads in Bikaner except a mile or so near the city towards Gajner.
The journey through carts and camels was very irksome in the heavy
sand. Goods were carried by camels but the rich people used to
maintain Raths or light travelling carts.

The details of principal old routes within the Bikaner State

territory, as given by Powlett were as follows^ ;

1. Bikaner to Ajmer Route — (Total length) 150 miles

( i ) Bikaner to Deshnoke 1^ »

(ii ) Deshnoke to Charkara 20 „

2. Bikaner to Bahawalpur Route — (Total length) 150 „

(i) Bikaner to Bardrasar 15 „

(ii ) Badrasar to Karnisar 14 „

(iii) Karnisar to Pngal 20 „

(iv) Pngal to Miinjgarh in Bahawalpur territory 60 „

3. Bikaner to Bhiwani Route — (Total length) 180 „

(i) Bikaner to Karnisar 12 Kos

(ii ) Karnisar to Kalu 12 „

(iii) Kalu to Bahadursar 16

(iv) Bahadursar to Sardarearb 8 „

( Vi Sardargarh to Reni 14 „

(vi) Reni to Rajgarh 14 „

(vii) Rajgarh to Khurd Kot ■ 8 „

4. Bikaner to Sirsa Route — (Total length) 160 miles

( i ) Bikaner to Malhasar . 1 0 Kos

(h ) Malhasar to Khari 12 „

(iii) Khari to Nathwan 8 „

(iv) Nathwan to Sai 14. „

( v) Sai to Shekhsar 16 „

(vi) Shekhsar to Pain 16 „

(vii) Palu to Nohar )8

(viii) Nohar to Jamalki 10 „

}. Poivtcit Ctyp\timV.SS/.,Ca!ettecr of the Dtkarter State, p.
2. il’id. pp. 9C"97.

Communications

209

Major K. D. Erskinet writing about 35 years after Powlett also
mentioned that the metalled roads existed only at or in the vicinity of
the Capital (Bikaner) and their total length was 21^ miles (34. 8 km.)
in 1896, which increased to 35i miles (57.1 km.) in 1901 and to 51.14
miles (82.3 km.) in 1905-06.

ROADS AND ROAD TRANSPORT

Roads

Due to sandy nature of the soil and the frequency of dust-
storms and high winds, the feasibility of making roads is obviously
limited. The sparseness of population also does not warrant heavy
expenditure on these projects. Nevertheless, the road mileage has
increased since Independence and now the district is considerably better
served by good roads.

At the time of the launching of the First Five Year Plans, the
total length of roads in Bikaner District was only 183 km. (114 miles).
This increased to 753 km. (468 miles) at the end of 1955-56.

During the Second Five Year Plan, the Blkaner-Lonkaransar
road was completed and construction work was also taken up on
Blkaner-Chhattargarh and Bikaner-Dungargarh roads. The total
expenditure on the construction and repair of roads amounted to
Rs. 16.42 lakhs during the Second Five Year Plan, after which the road
length increased to 913 km. During the Third Five Year Plan, a sum
of Rs. 9.66 lakhs was spent on the construction and repair of various
roads. The length of roads at the end of the year 1965-66 was 1,037
kilometres. The following table indicates the length of various types
of roads from 1958-59 to 1965-663,

(Kilometres)

Type of roads m58-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66

1 .

Cement

concrete

■ — _ _

Painted

220

259

293

296

315

332

343

Metalled

150

159

196

161

132

140

114

T-4

Grave lied

■ 84

230

188

192

156

195

178

188

Fair-weather
dressed up
tracks 352

219

270

320

352

312

343

370

Total

S06

867

913

966

936

962

968 .

1037

1. Ersltine, M.njor K. D„ TOe R-lJputSna GaxitecrSy^ Volume Hf-A. 1909, p. 353.

2. Bikamr Pra?tl ke Fa:h pr.r. the Public Relations Diparlment. Blk.-jner,

3. StaisU’ea! Al’Sfract, M'Siasi/r&’i, ysarly volumes for various years.

210

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

At the end of Third Five Year Plan, the road length in the
district in terms of populationi, was greater, being 2.33 km. per 1000 of
population, than the average of 1.52 km, for the State as a whole.

Road Transport

Motor vehicles— The following table shows motor vehicles on
road in the district, from 1957 tol9662.

(Number)

Type of vehicles

1957

1958

1959

1960

1961

1962

1963

1964’

1965 '1966

1. Privates Cars
& Jeeps

525

551

580

611

620

651

668

698

727

765

2. Private Buses

■36

3. Motor Cycles,
Tricycles &
Rikshaws

137

165

180

194

213

211

230

244

266

’ 292

4. Contract &
taxi carriages

5, Stage Carriages

105

109

117

128

138

144

150

6. Public Carriers

116

125

.129

154

156

170

197

220

238

256

7. Private Carriers 36

8. Tractors

9. Others

,108

110

Total

983

1064

1132 1262

1312

1389 1467 1565

1650

1756

Thus, out of the total of 1 756 vehicles on road in 1966, the largest
number i.e 765 was of privately owned c^sjnd j^ps, followed by motor
I cycles, tricycles and rikshaws, numbering 292. The public carriers and
stage carriages came next, their number being 256 and lSO respectively.

Besides the motor vehicles registration of other vehicles like
bicycles, /ongnj and bullock-carts is done by -municipal boards and
some of the panchayat samitis, by charging a nominal registration fee.

Bicycle is used both in towns and the rural areas .by the common
man. In Bikaner city taxis are available at 50 paise per mile in addition

1. Tratiya Fanchvarshiya Yojna Pragati Prativedan, 1961-66, p. 290.'

2. Statistical Abstract, PSJasthSn, yearlj' volumes for various years.

Communications

211

to haltage charges of Re. 1 per hour, while tongas afe available both
on the distance basis and Re. 1 per hour.

Public transport— No route in Bikaner district has so far been
nationalised and private buses ply on all routes within the district. 36
such private buses were on road during 1966. No inter-State bus
service operates from anywhere in the district.

Fare and freight — After the formation of Rajasthan, the State
government fixed* maximum fare and freight rates for stage carriages
and public carriers on all routes throughout the State. These were as
follows : —

1, Stage carriages — for single journey per person on :

( i ) A Class routes

(ii ) B Class routes

(iii) C Class routes

8 pies per mile
11 pies „ „
14 pics „ „

These rates were revised as under with effect from 25.10.66 and
were exclusive of Passenger Tax leviable under the Rajasthan Passengers
and Goods Taxation Act, 19592 :

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

A Class routesS

(a) Ordinary

(b) Express or Mail
First 100 km.
Beyond 100 km.

B Class routes
C Class routes

3 pies per km.

» .

t> 99

fy 99

99 9t

The 'minimum permissible fare was for 10 km.

2. Public Carriers — freight rates per single trip on :

( i ) A Class routes
(li ) B Class routes
(iii) C Class routes

3 pies per mile

‘'a yy »>

5 »> »»

1. Vide Noiificatlon No. R. D./!0495/TC/50,'XX dated 29th March 1951 under the
Rajasthan Motor Vehicles Act (Adoption) Ordinance, 1950.

2. Source — Director of Transport, Rdjasthiln, Jaipur.

3. Routes classification acajrding to road condition was ;

A Class for cemented, tarred or roctalicd roads.

B Class for Gravelled or A'celrcrred roads.

C Class for all tradrs, fair weather and other roads not included in A and B
classes of routes.

212

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

There were 345 goods transport vehicles registered in the district
in 1966 of which 89 were private carriers. The following 11 Goods
Transport Companies are functioning in Bikaner ;

1. Bikaner Globe Transport, Gangashahr Road, Bikaner.

2. New Bikaner Bombay Goods Transport Co., Gangashahr
Road, Bikaner.

3. Agarwal Golden Transport Co. Pvt. Ltd., K. E. M. Road,
Bikaner.

4. Jaipur Golden Transport Co. Pvt. Ltd., K. E. M. Road,
Bikaner.

5. New Prem Krishana Transport Co., Gangashahr Road,
Bikaner.

6. Delhi Public Goods Transport Co., Gangashahr Road,
Bikaner.

7. Chand Transport Co., Gangashahr Road, Bikaner.

8. Laxmi Transport Co,, Gangashahr Road, Bikaner.

9. Onkar Goods Transport Co., Gangashahr Road, Bikaner.

10. Gurunank Goods Transport Co., Gangashahr Road,
Bikaner.

11. South Eastern Roadways Goods Co„ Gangashahr Road,
Bikaner.

Road Accidents

The table below indicates the number of accidents, persons

injured and killed and the number of vehicles involved for each year
separately during the years 1957 to 19661.

Year

No. of
accideuts

Persons

killed

Persons

injured

Vehicles

involved

1957

1958

-1959

23 .

1961

1962

13 ■

1963

1964’

19f.5

1966

1. Statistical Abstract, Rajasthan, yearly volumes for various years.

Communications

213

RAILWAYS

The first railway section from Marwari to Bikaner city was opened
in December, 1891, with a mileage of 43.65 (70 km.) and the exten-
sions to Dulmera, Soratgarh and Bhatinda were completed in 1898,
1901 and 1902, respectively. The administration of the Jodhpur-Bikaner
Railway was run under the joint auspices of the then States of Bikaner
and Jodhpur. It was separated from 1st November, 1924.

The table below indicates the progress of Railways in the
Bikaner State territory from time to time.

Sections

Date of opening

Distance within
Bikaner Territory
(in miles)

Blkaner-Marwar Frontier
Section

9 th December, 1891

47.752

Bikaner-Dulmera Section

2nd June, 1898

41.50

Dulmcra-Saratgarh Section

1st January, 1901

71.85

Blkaner-Ratangarh Chord
Line

24th November, 1912 84.97

Bikaner-Kolayat Branch

Line

30th October, 1922

27.29

The first two sections provided important metre-gauge links
between Bombay Presidency and the Punjab via Marwar Junction and
Bhatinda. The Blkaner-Ratangarh chord linked the two important
systems of the Bikaner Railway, running practically north and south, in
the central and eastern parts of the erstwhile Bikaner State and provi-
ded direct connections between Bikaner city and important towns like
Churu, Sardarshahr, Ratangaih, Sujangarh and Sadulpur.

In 1963, the total railway route mileage in the district was 307,
which worked out to 3.2 miles per 100 sq. miles of area, as compared
to 3.1 miles for Rajasthan as a whole.

Railway Stations and Trains

The district has direct rail connections with Delhi, Jodhpur,

1. Fmir Dccoihs of Progress in Dtkar.sr, p. 98.

2. Length increased by 4.1 miles owing to diversion made in 1908-09.

214

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Jaipur, Ganganagar and the Punjab. The following are the Railway
Stations in the district ;

Bikaner

12.

Malkisar

Napasar

13.

Jagdevwala

Palana

14,

Jamsar

Deshnoke

15.

Kanasar

SOrpura

16.

Lalgarh

Chlla

17.

Nal Bari

Ltlnkaransar

18.

Durbari

Mahajan

19.

Gajner

Arjansar

20.

Kolayat

10.

Dulmera

21.

Gadhwala

11.

Dhlrera

22.

Naukha

The following are the details of up and down passenger trains
running between Bikaner and other important stations :

S. No.

Between

Distance

(km.)

Number of
'Up and
down '
trains

BIkaner-Bhatinda

324

Blkaner-Marwar Jn.

404

Bikaner-Delhi

463

4 •

Blkaner-Kolayat

Blkaner-Rewari

380

Bikaner-Merta Road

172

Economic Importance of Railways

The rigours of frequent famines in the district have greatly been
minimised by the improved means of communications, through rail lines,
which enable speedy despatch of relief to the effected areas. Even
water is supplied to scarcity areas in rail-borne tanks. The railways
play a vital role in the economic life of the district, in that they help
the export of surplus commodities like minerals and woollen goods and
bring in food, fodder and other goods of daily use, not. produced in the
district. Besides, railways have afforded considerable employment
opportunities to the people of Bikaner and have proved a veritable
boon for the district.

Communications

215

AIR SERVICES

There is an aerodrome at Nal near Bikaner but there is no
regular air service.

TRAVEL AND TOURIST FACILITIES

Dbaramsbalas

In the days of caravan traffic, dharamshalas used to be main-
tained as halting places along the main trade routes. Many of these
dharamshalas still exist at important places where passengers can stay
without payment of rent.

Rest Houses

There is a Circuit House at Bikaner situated outside the Public
Park. It has ten single and 3 double bed rooms. Both Government
officers and private individuals are entitled to stay in the Circuit House
on payment of the prescribed charges.^ Facilities for food, both Indian
and Western, electricity and piped water supply are available.

The State Public Works Department maintains a Dak Bungalow
also, at Bikaner and Rest Houses at Kolayat, Lunkaransar and Dea (in
(Kolayat tahsil). In Bikaner Dak Bungalow, there are seven single bed
rooms and one dining room, with facilities of electric lights piped
water supply and attached flush latrines. There is no provision for
boarding. There are two double bed rooms each in Rest Houses at
Lunkaransar, Kolayat and Dea. Kolayat Rest House only is electrified.
There is no facility of boarding in any of these rest houses. The
staying charges^ are the same as in Dak Bungalow, Bikaner.

Hotels

There arc several hotels in the district but only Anand, Green
and Deluxe Hotels, at Bikaner, are worthy of mention.

1. Daily CbargM for

non-ofTicials arc : ( i ) Single person in a double room— Rs. 25.00
(ii )Two persons in a double room— Rs 40.00.

(ili) Bed and Breakfast— Rs. 10.00.

(iv) Extra charges for air conditioned single room- Rs. 10,00.
and Double room Rs. 12.00. The charges arc Rs. 7.00
less for each additional person in the room.

(v) Single room— Rs, 22.00 per head.

2 Charges for rriv.’.tc persons per head arc Rs. 2.50 in Winter and Rs. 3.00 in
Sum ner, while for Govt. Ofrioers, 50 paise in ttlnler and Re. 1.00 in Summer.

216

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

POST AND TELEGRAPHS

In former times, the Bikaner State maintained its own establishment
of postal runners called i&sWj. These runners covered long distances
on foot, with amazing speed. Major Erskine, writing in the Rajputana
Gazetteer in 1909, mentioned that, assisted by a camel for only one
fourth of the distance, these runners regularly travelled 170 miles {212
hm.) between Bikaner and Jaipur in three days and three nights, for
which they received Rs. 9 for a single journey. They could, however,
undertake this journey in forty-two hours, if necessary, and in such a
case would be paid Rs. 32. Two of them usually travelled together,
in case one should break down. Captain Burton, who was Political
Officer to the ruler of Bikaner during the later part of the nineteenth
century, wrote on the authority of the Jamadars of the Postal establish-
ment that the quickest pace at which a Kasid on foot had been known
to travel in this country, was fifty kos (85 miles) in eight Pahars
(twenty four hours), The average non-stop journey on foot extended
over forty five miles.

An .Imperial Post Office was first opened at Bikaner in July, 1884. ,
The State adopted Imperial Postal Unity in January, 1904. By 1908
there were in all 29 Government Post Offices and 4 Telegraph Offices
besides telegraph offices at Railway Stations in the State. The Post
Offices within the present Bikaner district area were located at Bikaner,
Deshnoke, Gangashahr, Lunkaransar, Marh (Madh) (closed in Feb-
ruary 1908), Mahajah, Napasar, Pogal, Surpura and Udaisar, The
establishment, maintained for escorting the mails, cost the State-exchequer
Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 6,000 a year.

In 19511, there were 30 Post Offices in Bikaner, District. By
March, 1966 their number had gone up to 91, including 20 sub-
post-offices and 70 branch offices, besides one Head Office at Bikaner,
Their names are given in Appendix I.

A Central Telegraph Office at Bikaner and 13 other Telegraph
Offices and 15 Public Call Offices were working in the district on 3 1st
March, 1966. • The names of these are given in Appendix II.

TELEPHONES

The first telephone exchange was installed at Bikaner in 1905, for
connecting important buildings and institutions in the city.

1. Census 1951, Rajasthan and Ajmer-Dis-trict Census Hand Book, Bikaner, Part 1,
General Description and Census tables, p. xxvii.

Communications

217

There is now a Central Battery Multiple Telephone Exchange at
Bikaner. On 31st March, 1966, its working capacity was 720 connections
while the actual number of working connections was 610 with 99
extensions.

RADIO STATION

A Radio Station was established at Bikaner on 28th April, 1963,
to serve as a relaying centre for the programmes broadcast from
Jaipur Station. Bikaner Station has one transmitter of 10 K.w. power
and operates at 225.6 metres or 1330 kilo-cycles on the medium wave
band. It serves an area coming, approximately, within 160 km. (100
miles) radius around it.

ORGANISATIONS IN THE FIELD OF COMMUNICATION
There were two associations, namely, Motor Services Association
and Railway and Transport Passengers Association, working in Bikaner
at the end of the year, 1963. The number of registered trade unions in
the district on 31st Match, 1966, stood at seven. The detailed particulars
of these are given below :

Name of the Trade Union

Date of
registration

Membership

1. Motor Mazdoor Sangh, Gangashahr,

Bikaner

23.11.64

2. Rashtriya Oonth Chalak Congress,

Bikaner

31.8.65

3. Rashtriya Tonga Chalak Congress

Bikaner

31.8.65

4, Tonga Union, Bikaner

2.9.65

365

5. Gada Thela Union, Bikaner

20.11.65

100

6. Camclmcn & Mines Workers Union, Bilcancr

17.12.65

100

7. Riljasthan ZiJa Factory Workers Union,

Bikaner

21.12.66.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Appendix I

Post Offices in

ler Bikaner Head Office

Akhasar
Bamblu
Barsisar
Gersar
Jaimalsar
Jamsar
Kanasar
Karnlsar
Kolasar
Nal Bari
Palana
Pagal
Rirmalsar
Sarera
Sheo Bari
Udasar .

, Dhirera
, Bhinasar
. Bikaner City
, Bikaner Kutchery
. Deshnoke
Desilsar
1. Jensindesar
1. Janglu
).; Kesardesar
j. Rasisar
7. Shinjguru,

B. Sorpura
9. Gajner Palace

0. Gandhi Vidhya Mandir, Bikaner

1. Gangashahr '

2. Udrainsar

3. Goswami Chowk, Bikaner

14. Jassusar Gate, Bikaner

15. Kote Gate, Bikaner
36. Lalkar

Bikaner District

37. Lalgarh Palace, Bikaner

38. Lalgarh Road

39. Lonkaransar

40. Dulmera

41. Jaitpura

42. Kalu

43. Kapnrisar

44. Kumasa

45. Mahajan

46. Malkisar
47 Shejarasar

48. Sfiaikhsar

49. Napasar

50. Belasar

51. Gusainsar

52. Kuchor

53. Mudsar

54. Sintal

55. Railway Workshop, Bikaner

56. Rani Bazar, Bikaner

57. Sadul Colony, Bikaner

58. Kolayat

59. Bajju

60. Diyatra

61. Dadiyala

62. Gura

63. Jhajhu

64. Khindasar

65. Station Road, Bikaner

Under NSgaur Head Office

66. Bhandra

67. Dawa

68. Kaku

69. Saruda

70. Naukha

71. Berasar

Communications

219

72. Bhadla

73. Bikasar

74. Charkara

75. Dharong

76. Dhingsari

77. Gajsukhdesar

78. Gondusar

79. Hematsar

80. Jasrasar

81. Jasalsar

82. Kakra

83. Mensar

84. Nathasar

85. Nokh village

86. Panchan

87. Raisar

88. Rora

89. Udasa

90. Udasar

Under Ganganagar Head Office

91. Khanisar

27,1

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Appendix II

Telegraph Offices and Public Call Offices in Bikaner District

Telegraph Offices

1. Head Post Office, Bikaner

2. City Post Office, Bikaner

3. Departmental Telegraph Office, Bikaner

4. Kote Gate, Bikaner

5. Lalgarh Palace, Bikaner

6. Bhinasar

7. Deshnoke

8. Gangashahr

9. Gajner Palace

10 . Lankaraasar

11. Napasar

12. Naukha

13. Rani Bazar, Bikaner

14. Kolayat

Public Call Offices

1. Railway Goods Shed, Bikaner

2. City Post Office, Bikaner

3. Departmental Telegraph Office, Bikaner

4. Head Post Office, Bikaner

5. Kote Gate, Bikaner

6. Railway Station Bikaner

7. Mall Sorting Office, Bikaner

8. Bhinasar

9. Deshnoke

10. Gajner Palace

11. Gangashahr

12. Lnnkaransar

13. Napasar

14. Naukha

15. Kolayat

CHAPTER VIII

MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS

According to 1961 Census, the working population of the district
was 1,75,406 consisting of 1,20,652 males and 54,754 females. Of this,
1,28,156 persons (78,890 males and 49,266 females) lived in rural areas
and 47,250 persons (41,762 males and 5,488 females) in urban areas
The non-working population was 2,69,109 consisting of 1,12,047 males
and 1,57,062 females. Of this 1,28,333 persons(55,649 males and 72,684
females) lived in rural areas while 1,40,776 (56,398 males and 84,378
females) in urban areas. The female non-workers outnumbered male
non-workers in both the rural and urban areas. This is evident from
the table given belowi :

(Number)

Rural

Urban

Item

Males

Females

Total

.Males

Females

Total

Total Population

1,34,539

1,21,950

2,56,489

98.160

89.866

1 ,88,026

A. Workers

78,890

49,266

1,28,156

41,762

5,488

47,250

B. Non-workers

-55,649

72,684

1,28,333'

56,398

84,378

1,40,776

Since no other survey of the district, indicating its occupational
pattern, has been conducted, the analysis that follovs’s is based on the
data given in the Census Report, 1961.

The number of persons engaged in various occupations accord-
inc. to the 1961 Census in the district and in the State as a whole, arc
indicated in the following tablc.2

J. Ct^nsus of India Vol. XIV /ta/uir/rSv, P.irt Il-A, Grnvral Population Tables^
p. 167.

", Census of fndia 1961. Vot. XIV Jiijastkin Part II-BCi), Genera! Ecorom’c. Tables,
np. 6-7,

222

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Bikaner

RajasthSn

Percentage to total
population

Males

Females

Males

Females

Bikaner

District

Rajasthan

A. Total Workers 1,20,652

54,754

61,41,506

34.42.334

39.46

47.55

I. Cultivators 57,962

40,344

42,05,067

28.50.012

22.11

35.00

II. Agricultural

labourers 653

309

2,30,193

1,63,438

0.22 .

1.95

III. Mining, Quarrying,

Livestock, Forestry,

Fishing, Hunting,

Plantations.

Orchards and

ailied activities 2,028

IV. Household

348

1,22,737

48.344

0.54

0.85

industry 14,605

V. Manufacture other

9,482

3,97,504

2,00,678

5.42

2.97

than household

industry 4,873

813

1,51,184

■ 20.841

1.28

0.86

VI. Construction 4,013

353

96,908

12,254

0.98

0 54

VII. Trade & Commerce 9,713

VIII. Transport, Storage

421

2,74,232

13,925

2.28

1.43

& Communications 7,617

1,16,975

934

1.72

0 58

IX. Other Services 19,188

2,659

5,46.706

1,31,908

4.91

3.37

B. Non-workers 1,12,047

1,57,062

44,22,576

61,49,186

60.54

52.45

It is evident that 60.54 per cent of the total population of the
district consisted of non-workers and workers were only 39.46 per cent.
Similar figures for Rajasthan as a whole were 52.4'' per cent and 47.55
per cent respectively. Among the workers, the largest number, i. e.
22.11 per cent of the total population, were cultivators in the district
as against 35 per cent in the State as a whole. The occupational
pattern of non-cultivators is studied according to main occupational
groups as per -1961 census in the subsequent paragraphs

PUBLIC SERVICE

The 1961 Census recorded separate figures only for Government
servants falling in one category, viz.. Administrative and Executive
officials. Their number in the district was as follows^ :

1. Census of India 1961, Vol. XIV, Rijastlian, Part U-U(ii) General Economic Tables,
p.37.

Miscellaneous Occupations

223

Total

Urban

Persons

Males

Females

Persons

Males

Females

Central Government
Officials

State Government
Officials

312

307

276

272

Local Government
Officials

Quasi-Goverrinieht

Officials

Village Officials

210

203

171

169

Government Officials
not elsewhere classified

Total

616

602

514

506

Separaite statistics of government servants in academic occupa-
tions siich as teachers, doctors, engineers, etc. were not recorded in the
census report. Of the 616 Government officials falling under the
category of Administrative and Executive officials, only 14 were
females, 514 of them were posted in urban areas while only 102 were
serving in rural areas. The number of public servants has been in-
creasing considerably since 1951, due to the setting up of new offices,
opening of educational and other institutions and especially because
of the increase in the developmental activities of the Government.

The State Government servants in the district like those in the
State, are entitled to various amenities under rules. In addition to their
basic pay, all Government servants arc paid dearness allowance at
varying rates depending on the amount of pay. The dearness allowance
is revised from time to time according to the consumers’ price index.
Besides, House Rent Allowance is also paid to Government employees
posted in Bikaner City. Loans are admissible to Government employees'
for the construction and repairs of their houses and also for the pur-
chase of conveyance. The. quantum of these loans depend on the pay
and status of the Government servant. These loans arc repayable in
easy instalments and reasonable rate of interest is charged. The
expenditure incurred by the Government employee on his own medical

224

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

treatment and that of his family members dependent on him is also
reimbursable without any restriction. The State Government has also
constructed some quarters for allotment to the employees in the district.

There is a scheme of compulsory insurance of all Government
employees, who have put in a service of one year, in order to encourage
habit of thrift and to provide for the family members in case of the
premature death of the bread earner. On superannuation a Govern-
ment servant is entitled to pension and the benefits of gratuity scheme.
Besides, festival advance and food grains advance are also granted
occasionally to the Government servants to ^ive' them some relief.

PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL AND RELATED WORKERS

This group covers (i) Architects, Engineers, Surveyors,
0'!} Cbsmists, Physicists, Geoiogists and other Physical Scientists,
(iii) Biologists, Veterinarians, (v) Physician, Surgeons and Dentists,
(v) Nurses, Pharmaceuticians and other medical and health tech-
nicians, (vi) Teachers, (vii) Jurists, (viii) Social Scientists, (x) Artists,
Writers and (x) Draughtsmen and Science and engineering technicians
etc. In this occupational group, 4,538 persons were engaged of which
621 were females. Out of this about 79 per cent i.e. 3,609 persons
(3,079 males and 530 females) were living in urban areas while the
remaining 21 per cent were residing in rural areas. In all, 197 persons
were grouped under Architects, Engineers and Surveyors, of which 143
were residents of urban areas. There was no female worker under this
group. The chemists, physicians, geologists and other physical
scientists numbered only 12, of which two were females. There were
only 17 Biologists Veterinarians and Agronomists etc. and there w'as no
female worker under this group.

1 he number of physicians, surgeons and dentists was recorded
as 259, of which 21 were females. Out of this, 203 i. e. about 79 per
cent were working in urban areas. The nurses, pharmacists and other
medical and health technicians numbered 503, including 136 females,
of which about 95 percent i.e. 481 including 125 female workers, were
working in urban areas and only 5 per cent were living in rural areas.
In the educational field, of the 2,143 persons engaged, 159 (122 males
and 37 females) were college teachers, 345 (308 males and 37 females)
secondary school teachers and 1.244 (996 males and 248 females)
teachers in middle and primary schools; unclassified teachers numbered
392 (348 males and 44 females). Of this, 1,560 teachers (1,233 males

Miscellaneous Occupations

225

and 327 females) were working in urban areas. The legal practitioners
including petition writers numbered 148, of which 144 were working in
urban areas. The social scientists and related workers numbered 166
including two female workers while the artists, writers and related
workers were 264 in number, including 59 female workers. The number
of draughtsmen and science and engineering technicians was 97 while
other professional, technical and related workers numbered 732, which
included ordained religious workers, astrologers, palmists and
1 ibrarians etc.

There is a bar association at Bikaner which was established in
1928. It had 120 members during 1966.

ADMINISTRATIVE, EXECUTIVE AND MANAGERIAL WORKERS

The total number of persons engaged as Administrative, Executive
and Managerial workers excluding government servants was 718 (705
males and 1 3 females), of which 682 i.e. about 95 per cent were working
in urban areas. Of the total number of persons in this category, 21 were
engaged as directors and managers of wholesale trading concerns,
26 were directors, managers and working proprietors of financial
institutions, 19 those of banks and 652‘ of institutions relating to
mining, quarrying, well drilling, electrical undertakings, manufacturing,
transport and communication, recreation, entertainment and catering
services.

CLERICAL & RELATED WORKERS

Under this division arc included (i) Book-keepers and cashiers,
(ii) Stenographers and typists, (iii) Office machine operators,
(iv) Miscellaneous clerical workers and (v) unskilled office workers.
The number of workers engaged in this category was 6,3u2 which
included 143 females. Out of this category about 87 per cent,
numbering 5,489, were working in urban areas. The number of steno-
graphers and typists was 1 10 (including two female workers), office
machine operators 25, miscellaneous clerical workers 2,853 and
unskilled office workers numbered 2,046, which included 123 females.
The rest of them were book-keepers add cashiers.

SALES WORKERS

The total number of workers engaged in sales business was
8,945, which included 378 fcroaics._ Of this number, 7,437 (7,195 males

226

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikanei

and 242 females) were working in urban areas. The working proprie-
tors in wholesale and retail trade were 6,919 including 288 females.
Most of them were pursuing their callings in urban areas. The
insurance and real estate salesmen of securities and service and
auctioneers, numbered 76, including 16 female workers. Commercial
travellers and manufacturing agents numbered 226. There was no
female worker amongst them. Salesman, shop assistants and related
workers numbered 1,617 (including 29 female workers) of which 1,540,
including ’ 26 females workers, were working in urban areas. The
number of money lenders and pawn brokers was recorded as 107
including 45 females.

FARMERS. FISHERMEN, HUNTERS AND RELATED WORKERS

Under this category, 17,606 workers (including 6,58 1- females)
were recorded, of which only 464 were in urban areas. The farmers
and farm managers numbered 32 (including 7 females). All of them
were in urban areas. The farm workers numbered 17,443 including
6,574 females, of which 427 were in urban areas. The number of
hunters and related workers was only 6, while loggers and other
forestry worker numbered. 125. There were no femal workers in both
these categories,

MINERS, QUARRYMEN AND RELATED WORKERS

j The number of workers engaged as miners and quarrymen was

980 including 103 females. There were only 11 male workers in urban
areas while the rest were living in rural areas.

TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATION SERVICES

The total number of persons engaged in this category was 2,915
including 6 females, of whom 2,438 (including 6 females) were in urban
areas. The number of Deck , and Engine-Room Ratings and boatmen
etc., was 10, Drivers and Firemen-Railway Engine 205, Drivers-Road
Transport 1838, conductors, guards and- brakesman (railway) 46.-
Inspectors, Supervisors, Traffic Controllers and Despatchers-transport
339, telephones, telegraphs and related felc.^communication operators 86
and postmen and messengers numbered ,122. The number of other
workers engaged in Transport and Communication services was 269.

Miscellaneous Occupations

227

CRAFTSMEN AND OTHER PRODUCTION PROCESS WORKERSi

The total number of workers engaged under all these related
activities of work was 24,868 (19,942 males and 4,926 females) of which
18,089 (15,859 males and 2,230 females), being about 73 per cent of the
total, were working in urban area.

SERVICE, SPORTS AND RECREATION WORKERS2

The total number of workers engaged under this head was 7,949
which included 1,303 female workers. Of this, 6,110 persons (4,898
males and 1,212 females) were in urban areas, representing about 77
per cent of the total.

In rural areas, the number of domestic servants is very small
as there does not appear to be much demand for such services. Only a
few well-to-do families engage full-time domestic servants. They are
paid partly in cash and partly in kind. The wages in cash range from
Rs. 40 to Rs. 60 per month, besides two meals a day. In urban areas
domestic servants are engaged on full time as well as on part time basis
and their wages, paid mostly in cash, vary according to the time and
nature of work. Part time domestic servants are generally employed
to clean utensils and for sweeping and washing clothes. Child labour
for domestic work is also prevalent in urban areas and the wage rate
ranges from Rs. 25 to Rs. 30 per month in addition to meals.

Besides, workers classified above,' there were 720 workers (includ-
ing 13 females) in the district whose occupations were not clearly
classified or defined.

1 . This includes y) spinners, weavers, knit ters, dyers (ii) tailors, dress makers and
garment makers, (iii) leather cutters, lastcrs and sewers (except gloves and
garments), (iv) furnneemen, rollers; drawers, moulders, and related metal
making and training workers, (v) precision instruments makers, watch makers,
jewellers, (vi) tool makers, mechanics, • plumbers, welders, platcismcn,
(vii) elecfricjans and rehfed electrical and electronics workers, (viii) carpenters,
joiners, cabinet makers, coopers, (ix) compositors, printers, cngra\crs, book-
binders, (x) potters, kilnmen, glass and clay formers, (xi) millers, bakers,
brewmasters and related food and beverage workers, (xii) chemical and related
process workers, (xiii) tobacco preparers and product makers, (xtv) testers,
packers, sorters and related workers and (xv) stationary engine and excavating
and lifting equipment operators and related workers.

2. Under this arc included (i) fire fighters, policemen, guards, (ii) house-keepers,
cooks, maids and related workers, (Tit) waiters, bartenders, (iv) building care-
takers, cleaners, (v) barbers, hsir-dressers, beauticians and (vl) athletes,
sportsmen, photographers and related camera operators.

228

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

It may be interesting to study the workers and non-workers by
their age groups. The 1961 Census throws sufficient light on this aspect.
Appendix 1, given at the end of this chapter, describes the workers by
sex, age group and type of aciivity. It is evident that among the
workers, the largest number (63,482 males and 19,288 females) was
in the age group of 15-34. The age group consisting of the second
largest number of workers was 35-59, claiming 40,556 male and 16,389
female workers.

Among the cultivators, age groups of 15-34 and 35-59 were
preponderant, though there were sufficient number of workers who were
above 60 and below 15 years of age. This was true also in case
of agricultural labourers, workers engaged in mining, quarrying, fores-
try, fishing, hunting and plantation, orchards and allied activities,
household industry, manufacturing other than household industry,
construction work, trade aud commerce, transport storage and com-
munication and other services.

In rural areas, besides the fact that the larger number of
workers fell in the age groups of 15-34 and 35-59, the number of
workers falling in the age group below 1 4 and above 60, was also
considerable. This was more so among cultivators and agricultural
labourers. The age groups of 15-34 and 35-39 were equally prepon-
derant in urban areas, but the number of workers in the age group
below, 14 and above 60 was much less in the urban than in the rural
areas, the only exceptions being workers. in manufacturing, other than
household industry, construction, trade and commerce, transport,
storage, communication and other services.

' A majority of the non-workers constituted of dependents in-
cluding disabled persons and infants. Their number was 72,689 males
and 80,570 females, of whom 65,982 males and 68,834 females were
below the age of 14 years. The non-workers engaged in household
duties numbered 657 males and 65,632 females. Full time students were
35,976 males and 10,239 females. Appendix II given at the end of this
chapter indicates the number of non- workers by • sex, age group and
category of occupation.

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Urban — Out of a total of 47,250 workers in urban areas, 21,039
(16,365 males and 4,674 females) were illiterates, 17,938 workers were
recorded as literates without any .educational levels. Literates upto

Miscellaneous Occupations

229

primary or junior basic level numbered 2,687, including 107 females.
Matriculates or those who had read upto Higher Secondary level
numbered' 3,925 which included 133 females. The number of
females holding University or post-graduate degrees was also quite
encouraging.

Rural — 11,195 workers including 593 female workers were
literates without any educational levels, while 1,744 workers including
71 females had read upto Primary and Secondary levels. The matri-
culates numbered 950 which included 11 females. Appendices
III and IV give detailed information about the educational level of
the workers engaged in the various vocations in urban and rural areas,

230

Rajasthan District Ga 2 etteers — Bikaner

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Industrial Classification of Workers and Non-workers by Educational Levels in Rural Areasi

Miscellaneous Occupation

237

CHAPTER IX

ECONOMIC TRENDS

LIVELIHOOD PATTERN

The Census Report of 1961 brought out the livelihood pattern of
the working population only, classifying first, the total population into
workers and non-workers. The new tables are helpful in correctly assess-
ing the pattern of economic activities of the people and the future trends.
According to these figures, out of the total population of 4,44,515
in Bikaner district 2,56,489 persons, or 57.7 per cent, lived in rural areas,
while the rest were living in urban areas. The number of workers,
as stated in the previous chapter, was 1,75,406 or 39.46 per cent of
the population. Of the working population, 73.1 per cent were living
in rural areas and only 26.9 per cent in urban areas. In case of rural
population, as much as 49.9 per cent consisted of workers, while in
urban areas only 25.1 per cent could be classed as workers. The
number of male workers preponderated over that of female workers.

The occupational pattern, as detailed in the previous chapter,
disclosed that about 56 per cent of the working population was
engaged in cultivation, while "962 persons or 0,5 per cent were
merely agricultural labourers. The workers engaged in mining, quarrying
livestock, forestry, fiishing, hunting, plantation, orchard and allied
activities, numbered only 2,376, forming 1,4 per cent of the working
population. Household industry provided employment to 24,087
persons, constituting 13.7 percent of the total working population
while the number of persons engaged in manufacturing activity, other
than household industry was 5,686 (3.3 per cent). 4,366 persons (2.5
per cent) were engaged in construction, 10,134 (5.5 per cent) in trade and
commerce, 7,642(4.4 per cent) in transport, storage and communications
and 21,847 (12.7 per cent) were engaged in other services.

The occupational pattern in Bikaner district is given in
Appendix 1.

PRICES

Prices of principal food, crops in Bikaner showed no marked
fluctuations during the period 1872 to 1909 except during years of
famine or scarcity. In 1876, the price of Bajra, the staple food of the
people, was 31,10 seers per rupee. In 1893, it pos? (o 2p,59 seers per

Econoihic Trends

239

rupee. Powletti remarked in his Gazetteer, that the rate of 15 seers of
Bajra per rupee, was considered so high as to tentamount to famine or
scarcity conditions in the eyes of the people. The prices for succeeding
years upto 1909, ranged between 11.10 seers and 20.39 seers per rupee,
(except in bad years of 1897 and 1898 when it was 9.35 seers and 9.64
seers per rupee respectively). Quinquennial average price of bajra
ranged from 15.58 seers to 17.65 seers per rupee, during the period 1873
to 1895. Gram and wheat were chiefly imported into the State. The
price of gram ranged from 22.38 seers in 1894 to 8.80 seers per
rupee in 1897.

As for the price of wheat, its quinquennial average varied from
13.89 seers per rupee during 1871-75 to 10.72 seers per rupee during
1876-80. The highest price of wheat was recorded at 7.49 seers per
rupee in 1909 and the lowest at 14.81 seers in 1875, but the general
average had been varying from 11 to 12 seers per rupee from 1873 to
1909. Taking the quinquennial average price of 1871-75 as base, a rise
of 23 per cent was recorded during 1891-95.

The price of rice had ranged between 10.31 seers per rupee
during 1873 and 4.21 seers per rupee during 1907. The rates had
normally centred around 6 or 7 seers per rupee. But these were 41 per
cent higher during 1891-95 frorn the quinquennial average price of
1871-75. No figures of prices of moth, which is largely consumed, are
available for these years. It has, however, always been cheaper than
bajra. The price of salt depended on its qualitj', the rate of duty and the
cost of transport. Major Erskine^ had pointed out, that prior to 1879
the supply of the local variety was considered sunTiciciU and 43 to 74
seers of salt was procurable for a rupee, but, subsequently, it had been
imported from Didwana and other sources in Jodhpur, and the prices
varied between 11 seers and 20i seers for a rupee. Taking the quinquen-
nial average of 1871-75 as base, it recorded a rise of 451 per cent during
1891-95 period.

The general steadiness! n the price level of foodgrains during
this period was largely ascribed to better transport facility provided
by the Railways, the first section of which was opened at the end of
1891. The benefits were specially noticeable in times of draught, when
they brought in grains from the Punjab and Sind. Major K. D, Erskinc
pointed out that just before the famine of 1868-69, moth was selling at

1 . PDwictSt Capt. P. W., Thi G azcttccr of D/kancr 1 4, p. 56.

2. Etskice, Major K. D., Rajputana Gazetteers, Vo!. Ill-A, p. 345.

24(1

45 seers and Bajra at 35 seers for a rupee, while during that ^visitation,
prices rose to 6 seers per rupee. On the other hand, the highest quota-
tion during the famine of 1891-92 and the terrible calamity of 1899-1900,
were between 8 and 9 seers per rupee.

The prices of foodgrains during most of the period between
1894 and 1900 were very high^, due to the prevalence of famine
in Bikaner and the adjacent States. The old stocks in the possession
of traders were exhausted before the famine commenced, owing to
successive bad years, and the price of bajra rose very high immediately
after the failure of the Kharif crops. Foodgrains were, however,
largely imported by rail and also by camels. The markets were well
supplied and people did not feel any difficulty in obtaining grains
against payment at any time.

The following table gives the quinquennial average retail prices
of major foodgrains and salt during the period 1871 to 19022 •

(Seers per rupee)

Years

Rice

Wheat

Bajra

Arhar or

itir

Gram

Salt

1871-175

8.93

13.89

15.87

N.A.

15.87

67.72

1876-80

6.46

10.72

17.65

N.A.

15,18

41.45

1881-85

6,39

12.33

17.48

N.A.

17.57

11.81

1886-90

7.03

11.58

15.61

8,20

16.84

13.40

1891-95

6.35'

11.30

15.58

9.72

18.05

12.21

1896-1900

5.24

10.05

11.29

8.23

11.29

1901-05

6,15

11.63

14.19

8.39

16.46

12.46

1906-093

5,33

8.79

11.90

6.15

13.25

19.70

During the year 1924-25, owing to poor harvests, the prices of all
the foodgrains, except Moth, stood at a high level, compared to what
they were at any time during the previous years. These were as’ follows
during 1923-24 and 1924-254 :

1. Administration Reports of Bikaner Slate for the years 1894 to 1900.

2. Trices and ITages in India, Calcutta, 1900.

3. Only four years’ average.

4. Admitthtration Report of the Bikaner Stale for the year 1924-25.

Economic Trends

241

(Seers per rupee)

Commodity

During the last quarter of the year

1923-24

1924-25

Wheat

Gram

Millet

Moong

N.A.

Moth

Several measures were taken by the Government to check the
rise of prices during the scarcity period and large scale relief measures
were adopted!. State shops, which sold imported grain to the poor at
subsidised rates, were opened during 1918-19. In order to restrict
undue rise in prices and prevent profiteering, co-operative sale was
organised and a grain market was also opened in Bikaner city.

During the years 1939-40 and 1940-41, inspite of the war condi-
tions disturbing the normal channels of trade in the country, no special
steps were taken to regulate the distribution of foodgrains and other
essential articlesS. The prices of wheat and gram showed a tendency
to rise, but those of bajra and sugar declined. There was undue fluc-
tuation in the prices, but as there was no ban on the export of food-
grains in the neighbouring states, especially in the Punjab, the stocks
in Bikaner continued to be replenished by imports from neighbouring
niandis and, as a result, the public requirements were met in the normal
way. Conditions, however, changed during the year 1941-42 and it
became necessary’lo adopt rigid measures for controlling the supply
and prices of foodgrains. The Fooograins Control Order, imposed in
British India, was made applicable to the State on 25th July, 1942,
This Order, made it incumbent upon the wholesale dealers of principal
foodgrains to obtain licences for purchase, sale or storage of these
commodities.

The Foodgrain Futures and Option Prohibition Order, 1942,
was aho issued, under which all future transactions and options as
regards 'wheat, gram, Bajra, moth and jowar were prohibited. Since the

5. l)rc:i,-!cs of Pregr css in Bihancr, p. 30.

2. Adm:nisfrath'’n tteport of tUc Bikaner State for the years 1 W§*40 to 1941-42.

242

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaiief

then Bikaner State was deficient in foodgrains and some other
essential commodities, the export of all the important foodgrains,
sugar, charcoal and all kinds of wood was also prohibited in order
to conserve their existing stocks.

The average annual retail prices of foodgrains and sugar during
the years 1939 to 1942 were as follows! :

(Seers and Cbhatanks per rupee)

Commodity

1939-40

1940-41

1941-42

1. Wheat

(a) I quality

9-5

9—0

6-8

(b) II quality

10-0

9-7

6-13

2. Gram

9-10

11-5

8-4

3. Bajra

9-3

13-13

8-0

4, Guar

11-15

14-13

10-1

5. Sugar

(a) I quality

2-5

2-9

1-15

(b) II quality

2-7

2-13

2-3

2-10

2-1

The retail prices of principal- foodgrains

at Bikaner

from 1952

to 1961 are given

belou'S ;

(Rupees per maund)

Year Wheat

Barley

Gram

Jowar

Bajra

Maize

1952 19.41

14.39

15.79

15.57

17.57

17.75

1953 17.78

13.46

15.94

11.16

13.25

15.00

1954 14.45

8.87

11.16

8.65

6.69

10.00

1955 13.44

7.25

7.84

7.05

9.69

7.00

1956 16.23

12.01

11.73

9.06

13.31

N.A.

1957 17-10

13.12

12.58

12.61

15.99

15.17

1958 19.06

13.81

13.47

12.49

15.07

12.33

1959 20.66

12.31

13.58

13,81

15,42

14.17

I960 18.27

12.55

14.59

14.04

15.86

12 46

1961 17.33

13.55

16.09

13.98

17.08

16.00

1. Administration Report of Sikaiicr S/o/e Tor 1939-42, p. 41 ,

2. Statistical Abstract, Rajasthan, yearly volumes for various years.

Economic Trends

243

Since the year 1952, the prices of all foodgrains had been show-
ing a tendency to fall, till 1957, when they again started rising, a
tendency which continued during the whole of the Second Five Year
Plan period.

No record of retail prices of foodgrains is available after 1961.
However, the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of
Rajasthan has been publishing the farm (harvest) prices^ of certain
important crops in the district, which were as follows during the years
1960-61 to 1965-66 8;

(Rs. per quintal)

Commodity

1960-61

1961-62

Jowar

46.22

33.09

Bajra

49.57

45.33

, Wheat

52.92

47.40

Barley

39.52

34.83

Gram

44.21

42.71

Sesamum

85.07

87.08

1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66

38.31

42.87

50.45

57.60

47.07 73.75

64.09 77.50

4-34T22.. i 97.5J)

/ ~y.!.

til V ^

No uniform tendency is diSOcri^blciiTthe-imw jey^^ oFtthesc
commodities. The price of Jowar sharj ^dbfcl ine in '1961-62,

which continued till 1963-64, when it aJmP' SKinffd fisThg. Bajra has
kept up a steady level, but for a sharp rise in 1965-66 and a sharp fall in
1962-63. Wheat was pegged up high in 1960-61, but showed a rapid
fall in 1961-62 and 1962-63 and rose again sharply in 1963-64,a tendency
which continued thereafter. Barley recorded a falling trend since
1961-62. Gram prices remained more or less steady till 1962-63 when a
rising trend started. The same was true of sesamum, except that it
showed a sharp fall in 1962-63. The main factor, governing these price,s,
has been the nature af rainfall in the area and in the country, as a
whole, during a particular year.

1. The farm harvest price is the average wholesale price, at which the commodity
is Sold by the producers to the imdcrs, at the village sits, during the harvest
period. ^

Stqthfi'dl RijasihSi, yearly yolpnics for various years,

244

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

WAGES

Captain Powlett observed in 1874’ that the normal rates in Bikaner
at which skilled labour was available, was four annas (25 paise) a day,
while the daily rate for unskilled labour was only two annas (12 paise).
In the Rajputana Gazetteers, compiled by Major K. D. Erskine in 1908,
it is recorded thus “Some thirty years ago, it was reported that four
annas a day for skilled, and two annas for unskilled labour were the
normal rates of wages in Bikaner, and, as regards the latter, there seems
to have been little or no variation. The ordinary day labourer still
receives about two annas and the syce or horse keeper three; the wages
of others appear to have increased, namely those of blacksmith from
four to five, and of the carpenter and mason from four to six annas.
As elsewhere in Rajputana, the village servants such as barbers, potters
and shoemakers are usually paid in kind at harvest time”.

No separate record of wages, for each category of workers prevailing

in the erstwhile Bikaner State, is available, except what is mentioned

in the Annual Administration Reports. The rates of daily wages

as recorded in the relevant administration reports are given below :

• , »

Year

Wages ranging

from to

Ks. As. Ps. Ks. As. Ps.

1924-25

0—4—0

1—8—0

1926-27

0—5—0

1—8—0

1929-30

1—4—0

1930-31

0—4—0

1—4—0

1932-33

0-4-0

I— 0-0

1939-40

0—2—0

0—5—0

Semi-skilled worker

0-12-0

1-4-0

Skilled worker'

1941-42

0-10-0

Semi-skilled worker

0-12-0

1—8—0

Skilled worker

1942-4;

]_0— 0

Semi-skilled

1—4—0

2—0—0

Skilled worker

1945-46

1—0—0

1—8—0

Unskilled worker

2—0—0

3-0-0

Skilled worker

1. Powlett, Captain P. W., op. cit., p. 95.

Economic Trends

245

With the upward trend of prices, the wages of labour also
increased from time to time. These, however, as usual did not keep
pace with the increase in the prices, particularly because there were no
organised trade unions among the workers, through which they could
effectively press their demand for such increases. After Independence,
under the Minimum Wages Act 1948, industry-wise minimum wages
have been fixed by the Rajasthan Government. These are given in
Appendix II.

STANDARD OF LIVING

No data is available to study the living standard of the people
of the area, except the Follow-up Survey of the district, conducted by
the Reserve Bank of India and two village surveys done by the Census
Department. According to the Rural Credit Follow-up Survey under-
taken by the Reserve Bank of India, during 1956-57, the average annual
expenditure per cultivating family was about Rs. 559. The following
figures indicate the expenditure on recorded items per familyi ;

S. No. Items

Expenditure

(Rs.)

Percentage
of total
expenditure

1. Constructing and repairs of residential and
other houses

5.5

2. Purchase of domestic utensils etc.

1.5

3. Purchase of clothes

258

46.1

4. Death ceremonies

12,7

5. Marriage & other ceremonies

165

29.5

6. Medical expenses

1.3

7. Educational expenses

1.7

S. Litigation expenses

1.7

Total

559

100.0

1 , Riircl Credit Falh>r-up Sue\r}\ 1956-57, General Review Feporl, Rcjcrvc BaoV; of
India, i960, p. 149.

246

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

The following table indicates the sources of finance for such
family expenditure! :

Item Average Amount financed by each

expendi- source as percentage of
ture per total expendhur e

family Owned Sale of Borrow-

(Rs.)

funds

assets

ings

1. Purchase, construction and
repairs of residential and
other houses

90.5

9.5

2. Purchase of durable con-
sumers’ goods

266

90.3

0.1

9.6

3. Death, marriage and other
• ceremonies

236

43,0

1.7

55.3

4. Medical, edueational and
litigation expenses

91.7

0.4

8.0

An important feature of special significance is that borrowings
financed a substantial portion of the expenditure on the death,
marriage and other ceremonies. Further, it was found that in Bikaner,
big and large cultivators did not enjoy a demonstrably higher standard
of living than medium and small cultivators. This indicates that large
scale farming is not very paying in the district.

The table below indicates the extent of debt per family, as
observed during the surveys;

(Amount in Rupees)

Category of cultivators

As on

1.5.56 30.4.57

1- Big

424

956

2, Large

586

885

3. Medium

414

651 ,

4. Small

335

606

6. All (average)

442

702

1. Rural Credit Follow-up Sunday, op. elt., pp. 163-168.

2. ibid., p. 40.

Economic Trends

247

An increase was discernible in the level of debt per family,
among all types of cultivators. The survey also throws sufficient light
on the average borrosvings per family. This is reflected in the following
tablei :

Type of cultivators

Amount

(Rs.)

1. Big

554

2. Large

352

3. Medium

327

4. Small

284

5. All (average)

322

During the 1961 Census, the socio-economic surveys of Mukara
and Mudh (Marh) villages were undertaken and it was found that very
few families were able to save substantially and some of them, infact,
had to incur debts for the purchase of cattle, seeds and agricultural
implements. Besides, most of them bad to borrow money for social func-
tions such as marriage and death ceremonies. Many of them had to
incur debts even for buying foodgrains and clothes during lean yea

EMPLOYMENT

An Employment Exchange was established at Bikaner in the
year 1946, with a skeleton staff. Since then, with the adoption of new
schemes by the department, the staff of the Exchange has also increas-
ed. Employment Market Information Programme was launched in
the district in the year 1961. At present, the staff of the Employ-
ment Exchange consists of one District Employment Officer, one
Assistant Employment Officer (v. G.) and a Junior Employment
Officer, besides one u. d. c., 6 l. d. cs., one guide and 4 class IV
servants. It is very suitably situated in Chopra Katla Building, in
Rani Bazar, at a distance of about half a mile from the Railway
station and bus stand. It caters to Churn district also". Though people
arc aware of the assistance offered by the ‘ Employment Exchange, the
registration is voluntary. Hence, tho registration at the Employment
Exchange can, “at best, be only rough estimate of the unemployed
persons, seeking gainful occupation. The number of persons registered

1. Rura! Credit Folhn'^tp Surrey, cp. cit., p. 92.

2. A separate Employment Exchange for Churu district has since been established.

248

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

and placed in employment through the Bikaner Exchange as also the
employers using its services, during the past few years were as follows^ :

(Number)

Year

Applicants

registered

Flacings made

Employers using ine
Employment Exchange
(monthly average)

1957

4,813

607

1958

571

999

1959

6,933

1,524

1960

7,050

997

1961

7,642

1,225

396

1962

6,008

1,065

430

1963

6,771

1,158

491

1964

8,288

1,587

380

1965

8,092

1,430

503

1966

8,289

1,258

403

The following table indicates the occupational classification of
the applicants on the live register of the Employment Exchange during
1961 to 1966 :

(Number)

Category

1961

1966

Professional, Technical & related
workers

172

143

Administrative, Executive and Managerial
workers

Clerical and related workers

24 .

Farmers, fishermen, hunters, loggers and
related workers

Miners,' quarrymen and related workers

—

■Workers in transport & communications

Craftsmen, production process workers and
labourers not classified .

Services, sports and recreation workers

172

138

Workers not classified by occupations

2,512

2,480

Total

3,149

2,948

t. Statistical /tbstract, Rajasth&n, yearly volumes for various years.

Economic Trends

249

The table below indicates the number of vacancies notified and
filled up by the various classes of employers. It will be noted that the
largest number of vacancies notified and filled up were in the State
Government employ, followed by the Central Government departments ;

(Number)

Year

Vacancies notified and filled by

Central Govt.

state Govt.

Quasi Govt.

Private

Total

Noti-

fied

Filled

Noti'

fied

- Filled

Noti-

fied

Filled

Noti-

fied

Filled

Notified

Filled

1957

100

595

507

—

724

607

1958

141

130

999

863

1,179

996

1959

185

145

1,485

1,133

1,804

1,314

I960

126

105

1,057

730

238

147

1,450

993

1961

371

323

850

615

366

251

1,681

1,211

1962

378

114

1,344

727

312

196

2,084

1,049

1963

268

109

1,398

979

210

142

2.018

1,157

1964

330

168

1,655

1,149

376

218

130

2,491

1,546

1965

114

1,319

1,053

394

250

1,917

1,394

1966

301

226

1,193

563

456

446

125

2,075

1,254

The scheme of collection of employment market information
was introduced in Bikaner district in 1961. Under this scheme, infor-
mation is collected by the Employment Exchange about the siipply
and demand of man power and also about various factors that affect
employment conditions from time to time, on the basis of quarterly
returns received from the employers under the Establishment Reporting
System. According to the first report on Bikaner Employment Market,
for the quarter ending March 1961, it appeared that during the off-
season many people in niral areas take to weaving of khadi Rn6 woolen
blankets. Among the organised industries, sheep breeding, wool-
baling and pressing, clay and glass work, metal industries and coal
and gypsum indirstrics offer substantial employment opportunities
to the people. Many women workers arc also engaged in these
industries.

250

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Though the Community Development Programme was launched
in the State in October 1952, it was extended to Bikaner district only
in 1955, when a National Extension Service block was opened at
Naukha, covering 122 villages, with an area of 3,785 sq. km. and a
population of 83,964. It became a II Stage Block in April I960.
Another pre-extension block was opened at Kolayat, in June 1958
(converted into I Stage in April 1959) covering an area of 7,948 sq.
km. extending over 185 villages with a population of 47,999. In
October 1959, two more shadow blocks were opened at Bikaner and
Ltinkaransar, covering areas of 8,997 sq. km. and 6,372 sq. km. of
173 and 171 villages with populations of 71,297 and 53,928 respectively.
Bikaner was converted into a Pre-Extension block in May I960 and
entered 1 Stage in April 1961, while Lpnkaransar was made a Pre-
Extension block in October 1962.

Appendix III indicates the physical achievements under some
important heads, in the various Panchayat Samitis, during the year
1965-66.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
First Five Year Plan

The main objective of plan schemes under the First Five Year
Plan was to make good the deficiency in the food resources of the
State and to bring an all-round economic development in the rural
areas, through Community Development and National Extension
Service. The district-wise break-up of expenditure of the First Five
Year Plan is not available.

Second Five Year Plan

The Second Plan aimed at providing larger increase in employ-
ment, investmint and_ production, the building-up of basic industries
and revitalisation of rural economy. While the initiation of the
Community Development Blocks was an important achievement of the
First Plan in the rural sector, the introduction of Democratic Decen-
tralisation was a hall-mark of the Second Plan. The following table
indicates the sector-wise expenditure on various schemes operating in
the district during the Second Plan periodi:

1. Second Five Year Plan, Progress Feporl, Rijoslhin. 1956-61, pp. Lxxxiji-Lxxxv.

Economic Trends

251

Sector

Expenditure
(Rs. in lakhs)

Agriculture & Community Development

( i ) Agriculture

8.47

(ii ) Consolidation of holdings

8.24

(iii) Animal Husbandry

26.74

(iv) Co-operation

3.82

(v ) Forests and Soil Conservation

2.56

(vi) C.D. & N.E.S.

17.24

Irrigation & Power

( i ) Power

154.11

Industries & Mining

{ i ) Industries

6.17

Communication

( i ) Roads

16.42

Social Services

( i ) Education

71.49

(ii ) Medical & Health

14.11

(iii) Ayurved

0.80

(iv) Water supply

40.79

(v) Housing

12.90

(vi) Labour and labour welfare

2.40

(vii) Social Welfare and Welfare of backward classes

5.89

Miscellaneous

( i ) Statistics

0.08

Total

392.23

The year-wise break-up of expenditure is given below :

Year

Expenditure
(Rs. in lakhs)

Percentage

1956-57

24.97

6.4

1957-58

49.96

12.7

1958-59

85.44

21.8

1959-60

107.42

27.4

1960-61

124.44

31.7

Total 392.23

100,00

252

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

The total expenditure incurred during the Second Plan on all
xhe schemes operating in the district, thus, came to Rs. 392'23 lakhs.
The per capita expenditure, on the basis of 1961 population, worked
out at Rs. 88.34 as against Rs. 51.15 for the State as a whole.

Two urban water supply schemes for Bikaner and 'Naukha were
taken up. Total expenditure on them during Second Plan period came
to Rs. 29.47 lakhs and Rs. 0.10 lakhs, as against estimated costs of
Rs. 39.34 lakhs and Rs. 2.65 lakhs respectively. Bikaner Scheme,
when completed, was designed to benefit 1.92 lakhs of population.

Third Five Year Plan

To maintain the tempo of development, created in the Second
Five Year Plan, a comparatively bigger Third Five-Year Plan, involving
an outlay of Rs. 236 crores in Rajasthan, was launched. The concept
of planning from below was given a tangible shape for the first time
in the drawing up of the Third Five Year Plan of Rajasthan and the
Panchayat Saraitis and Zila Parishads were also associated in its
formulation. Special emphasis was laid on agriculture and animal
husbarrdry, irrigation, public works programmes, labour incentives,
rural water supply and education. The following table indicates the
expenditure incurred on the various schemes, operating in the district,
during the Thrid Five Year Plant;

N. Sectors

Expenditure
( Rs. ID lakhs)

Agricultural Programmes
( i ) Agricultural Production

0.41

(ii ) Minor Irrigation

0.96

(it)) Soil Conservation

1.61

(iv) Animal Husbandry

21.76

(v ) Dairying & Milk supply

0.20

(vi) Forests

0.39

(vii) Fisheries

O.OI

Co-operation & Community Development
(i) Co-operation

3.39

(ii ) Community Development

22,44

(iii) Panchayats

5.85

1. Tratiya PanchvarsMya Yojaa-Pragati PraU'vcdan, 19(51-66, pp. 235-240.

Economic Trends

253

S.N, Sectors

Expenditure
(Rs. in iakhs)

3. Industries and Mining

( i ) Mineral Development

22.17

(ii ) Village & small industries

8.25

4. Transport & Communications

(i) Roads

9.66

5. Social Services

( i ) General Education & Cultural Programmes

64.96

(ii ) Technical Education

23.38

(iii) Modern Medicine

88.79

(iv) Ayurved

1.89

(v) Water supply

36.53

(vi) Housing

6.24

(vii) Welfare of backward classes

9.29

(viii) Social Welfare

0.95

(ix) Labour & Labour Welfare

1.71

6. Miscellaneous

(i) Statistics

1.15

(ii ) Information & Publicity

0.49

(iii) Mandis

6.16

Total

338.64

A perusal of the above table indicates that out of the total ex-
penditure of Rs. 338.64 lakhs on various schemes, operating in the
district, during the Third Plan period, social services like modern
medical facilities, general education and cultural programmes and water
supply schemes, got special treatment, claiming expenditure amounting
toJRs. 88.79 lakhs, Rs. 64,96 lakhs and Rs. 36.53 lakhs respectively. The
year-wise break-up of expenditure was Rs. 81.24 lakhs during 1961-62,
Rs. 75.02 lakhs in 1962-63, Rs. 67.40 lakhs in 1963-64, Rs. 52,82 lakhs
in 1964-65 and Rs. 62.16 lakhs in 1965-66. The per-capita expenditure
in Bikaner district, during the whole Plan period came to Rs. 77.27,
as against Rs. 105.35 for Rajasthan as a whole..

254

Ra^jasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Appen

Occupational Pattern io

Occupational Category

Total

Persons

Percentage

Males

Females

A. Total Workers

1,75,406

(39.57)2

100.0

1,20,652

54,754

1. Cultivators

98,306

56.0

57,962

40,344

2. Agricultural Labourers

962

0.5

653

309

3. Mining, Quarrying, Live-
stock, Forestry, Fishing,
Hunting, Plantation,

Orchards and allied
activities

2,37 >

1.4

2,028

348

4. Household Industry

24,087

13.7

14,605

9,482

5. Manufacturing other than
household industry

5,686

3.3

4,873

813

6. Construction

4,366

2.5

4,013

353

7. Trade and Commerce

10,134

5.5

9,713

421

8. Transport, Storage and
Communications

7,642

4.4

7,617

9. Other Services

21,847

12.7

19,188

2,659

B. Non-workers

2,69,109
(60.43)2 ,

1,12,047

1,57,062

1. Census of India, 1961, RSJasth^, District Census Handbook, Bikaner District-
% Figures in brackets indicate percentages to the total population.

Economic Trends

255

DIX I

Bikaner District, 19611

Rural

Urban

Persons

Percentage

Males

Females

Persons

Percentage

Males

Females

1,28,156

100.00

78,890

49,266

47,250

100.00

41,762

5,488

96,690

75.4

57,293

39,397

1,616

3.4

669

947

846

0.7

626

220

116

0.3

2,219

1.7

1,891

328

157 0.3

137

20,747

16.3

12,263

8,484

3,340 „^^7;r

/»N *-0

• .C*

: '■ '"T- rr

y 998

650

0.5

486

164

5;636/-f :10J
' [ '"8.4

^ . - 4,387

...64S

399

0.3

331

• 3.682

28f

1,716

1.3

i.564

152

8,4X8" ■ M 7 . 8 -

. 8,149

-269

865

0.7

860

6,777 ^ ^14.3

* 6,757

4,024

3.1

3,576

448

17,823 37.7

15,612

2,211

28,333

55,649

72,684

1,40,776

56,398 84,378

pp. 72-73.

256

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Appendix II

Wages fixed under Minimum Wages Act
(1969)

S. No. Type of occupatioD/cIass of workers Wages

1. Employment in woollen, carpet
making or shawl weaving
establishments

(i) Time rate manual occu- Minimum time rate, Rs. 60.00

pations per month or Rs. 2.31 per day

inclusive of paid weekly holi-
day

(ii) Piece rate occupations:

(a) Yarn Opener 15 paise per kg. (hand spun and

upto 30 counts)

30 paise per kg. (mill spun
and upto 40 counts)

50 paise per kg. (mill spun and
upto 70 counts)

Re. 1 per kg. (mill spun and
above 70 counts)

(b) Spinner 75 paise per kg. of wool spun

(d) Dyer Rs, 125 per month

(e) Weaver

Plain Carpet (one colour)

(1) Upto 40,000 knots per Rs. 5.25 per sq. yard
square yard

(2) Over 40,000 knots per Rs, 5.75 per sq. yard
sq. yard

Desigced Carpet

(1) Upto 30,000 knots Rs, 6.50 per sq, yard
per sq. yard Upto 15

colour

(2) From 30,000 knots to Rs. 7.50 per sq. yard
40,000 knots per sq.

yard Upto 20 colours

Economic Trends

257

Appendix II (contd.)

S. No. Type of occupation/class of workers

; Wages

(3) Over 40,000 knots per

Rs. 8.75 per sq. yard.

sq. yard for more

than 20 colours

(4) Clippers

Rs. 120 per month or 31 paise

per sq. yard

(5) Embossers

Rs. 135 per month

(6) Carpet mistries

Rs. 125 per month

2. Employment in rice, flour or dal mills :

(i) Skilled workman

Rs. 100 per month

(ii) Semi-skilled workman

Rs. 80 per month

(iii) Unskilled workman

Rs. 60 per month

(iv) Clerical staff

Rs. 100 per month

3. Employment in any Tobacco (including bidi making) manufac-

turing :

(i) Bidi roller

Rs. 2 per 1000 bidies or

Rs. 85 per month

(ii) Bidi sorter and checker (full

Rs. 100 per month

time worker)

(iii) Bundle wrapper and packer

Rs. 85 per month or

Rs. 2.00 per 1000 bundles

(iv) Snuff making

Rs. 2.31 per day or Rs. 60

per month

4. Employment in oil mills :

(i) Unskilled workman

Rs. 60 per month or Rs. 2.31

(Male & female)

per day, inclusive of weekly

day of rest

(iii Semi-skilled workman

Rs. 85 per month

(iii) Skilled workman

Rs. 100 per month

5. Employment under local authority

(i) Unskilled worker

Rs. 60 to Rs, 65 per month

(ii) Semi-ski 'led worker

Rs. 85 per month

(iii) Skilled worker

Rs. 100 per month

(iv) Office staff

Rs. 85 to Rs. 125 per month

(v) Field staff

Rs. 100 per month.

(vi) Traffic staff

Rs. 100 to Rs. ISO per month

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaaer

Type of occupation/class of workers

Wages

Employment on the construction or maintenance of roads or in
building operations :

(i) Unskilled workman Rs. 60 to Rs. 65 per month

(ii) Semi skilled workman Rs. 80 to 90 per month

(iii) Skilled workman Rs. loO to 150 per month

Employment in stone breaking or stone crushing ;

(i) Unskilled workman Rs. 60 to 65 per month

(ii) Semi-skilled workman Rs. 80 to 90 per month

(iii) Skilled workman Rs. 100 to 125 per month.

Employment in mica works (other than mica mining) ;

(i) Unskilled worker Rs. 60 per month

(ii) Dresser & sorter Rs. 75 per month

(iii) Clerk Rs. 100 per month

(iv) Cutter 40 paise per kg, of mica cut,

but not less than Rs. 60 per
month.

Employment in Public Motor Transport :

(i) Unskilled workman Rs. 60 per month

(ii) Semi-skilled workman Rs. 85 per month

(jin Skilled workman Rs. WO per month

(iv) Traffic staff Rs. 65 to 100 per month

(v) Qffice staff Rs. lOO per month

(vi) Inspecting staff Rs. 100 per month

- Employment in wool cleaning and pressing factories ;

(i) Unskilled workman Rs, 60 per month

(ii) Semi-skilled workman Rs! 80 per month

(iii) Skilled workman Rs 100 per month

. Employment in cotton ginning, pressing and baling establishments :

(i) Unskilled workman Rs. 60 per month

(ii) Semi-skilled workman . Rs. 80 per month

(iii) Skilled workman Rs. 100 per month.

:. Employment in Printing Presses :

(i) Unskilled workman Rs. 60 per month or Rs. 2.3]

(ii) Semi-skilled workman

(iii) Skilled workman

Rs. 60 per. month or Rs. 2.31
per day, inclusive of weekly
holiday.

Rs, 80 per month
Rs. 100 per month

Economic Trends

259

Appendix IT (contd.)

S. No. Type of occupation/class of workers Wages

13. Employment in Salt Industry :

(i) Manufacturing Operations Rs. 1.75 pgr day, per adult

worker, male or female, inclu-
sive of weekly days of rest.

(ii) Extraction and storage 85 paise per 100 eft.

(iii) Heaping, washing & loa^ting Rs. 2 per day for an adult
into trucks, wherever carried worker, male or female, exclu-
on jointly by the same set of sive of weekly days of rest.

(iv) Despatch operations Rs. 6.31 per 156 bags or l45

quintals or Rs. 2 per day.

(a) Weighting & loading into Rs. 12.31 per 156 bags or 145

wagons quintals or Rs, 2 per day.

(b) Sewing Rs. 1,75 per day per adult

worker exclusive of weekly
days of rest.

(v) General—for pumping- Rs. 2.50 per day per adult

men or mistris worker, exclusive of weekly

days of rest.

Rs. 1.75 per day per adult
worker, male or female, exclu-
sive of weekly days of rest.

(vi) For other operations or

occupations, not described.

Appendix HI , .

Physical Achievements of the Pancbayat Samitis in Bikaner District

260

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

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Source : Quarterly Progress Reports, Development Department, Rajasthan, Jaipur.

CHAPTBd X

GENERAL ADIMINISTRATION

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The administrative history of the area can be traced only from
the 15th century A. d., when the State of Bikaner was founded by Rao
Bika, son of Rao Jodha of Jodhpur. He had moved from Jodhpur
with civil and.military staff and took over the territory from the Jats
and other tribes. The main concern of rulers of those days was annexing
and extending their territories and getting revenue out of them rather
than setting up proper system of administration. The highest offices-
were sometimes bestowed on the highest bidders who could pay most to
the royal coffers through exploitation and fleecing of the ryots, rather
than to persons of ability and integrity. This was the general practice
in the chaotic times of some of the predecessors of Maharaja Dungar
Singh, who succeeded to the Bikaner throne in 1872 a.d. During his reign,
the State was divided into districts and tahsils and regular courts of
law were established. The duties of tahsildars, thanedars and other
officials were defined and rules of procedure for criminal courts were
framed. The administration was run with the assistance of - the
Pancliayais f Administrative Councils), wherein all important matters
were decided. The members constituting the pancfiayats were assured
of non-interference.

Memorable reforms in the administrative structure were brought
about by Maharaja Ganga Singh, who reigned from 1887 A.D. to 1943
a.d. It was for the first time that the Slate Government thought of
giving some consideration to development schemes for the welfare of the
public, A proper Secretariat was organised and powers were further
decentralised. The Bikaner Chief Court, with a Chief Judge and two
other Judges to look after judicial administration, was established in
1910 A.D. It was raised to the status of a High Court of Judicature in
the year 1922 a.d. After the advent of Gang Canal in 1927 A.D.,a major
ch.angc in the constitution of administrative divisions was effected and
the whole of Bikaner Slate territory was divided into two divisions viz.,
Sadar division and Gangunagar division, each headed by a Revenue
Commissioner, who e.xcrcised administrative control over the Nazims and
tahsildars responsible for ad.mioisIriHion of the respective Nizamats and
tahsiis.

262

Rajasthan District Gazetteeis-Bikaner

On 30tb March, 1949 the State of Bikaner merged into the
United State of Greater Rajasthan. Consequently, the area covered by
the State of Bikaner was divided into three separate districts viz.,
Bikaner, Ganganagar and Churu. Each district was headed by a
District Officer called Collector. The district was further divided into
sub-divisions, tahsils, Girdawar circles and Patwar circles, for adminis-
trative purposes.

PRESENT PATTERN

At present, the district of Bikaner consists of two sub-divisions,
namely Bikaner north and Bikaner south with headquarters of both at
Bikaner. Bikaner north sub-division comprises Ltinkaransar and
Bikaner tahsils while Bikaner south sub-division is ntade up of Kolayat
and Naukha tahsils.

At the head of the district is the Collector, who is the pivot
round whom the district administration revolves. With the abolition of
(he posts of the Divisional Commissioners, the responsibilities and
duties of the Collector have increased manifold. He is not only the
head of the revenue department in the district but is also expected to
supervise and co-ordinate the working of other departments. He is also
the District Magistrate and is responsible for the maintenance of Jaw
and order in the district. At the same time, the Collector is theEx-officio
District Development Officer and is intimately connected with the deve-
lopment activities of all other departments, including local bodies. Be-
sides, he is also the head 'of the district treasury with the Treasury Officer
as its immediate head and is ultimately responsible for due accounting of
all receipts and disbursements on behalf of the Government, as for the
safe custody of cash, stamps and securities in the treasury. The
Collector is also the ex-officio chairman of various important commit-
tees at the district level. Thus, the Collector continues to occupy a
pivotal position in the administration of the district and its development.

Land revenue administration, including its management, still
demands the major attention and considerable time of the Collector.
As' the officer responsible for the collection of land revenue and other
Government dues, he has to ensure that they do not accumulate. As
District Records Officer, he has to see that land records, which consti-
tute the basis of tenancy and other rights of (he cultivators, arc kept
up-to-date. and in ?lie proper form. As custodian of Govcrnpicnt

General Administration

263

property including land, it is his duty to prevent encroachments. He
has to administer the Land Revenue Act in its various facets, so that the
wheels of rural life run swiftly and smoothly. He supervises the
working of Revenue Courts in his capacity as a court of appeal and
reference.

As District Magistrate, the Collector is charged with the duty
of maintenance of law and order in his region with the help of the
Superintendent of Police. He exercises administrative control over the
Magistrates posted in the district. Any ugly law and order situation
has to receive his immediate attention.

With the initiation of the Five Year Plans, development work
in the district has assumed a great significance. The Collector, as
stated above, has to keep a vigilant watch over all development projects
in the district, whichever may be the department responsible for their
execution. It is, however, his speeial responsibility to ensure successful
functioning in his district of the scheme of Democratic Decentralisation,
which Rajasthan was the first State to adopt, with its three tier system
viz., the Panchyats, the Panchayat Samitis and the Zila Parishad. To
bring about an cifcctive co-ordination among them and to ensure
that representatives of the people, who mainly constitute these demo-
cratic bodies and the executive officers, who are employees of the State
Government but charged with the responsibility of carrying out the
behests of these elected representatives, work as a team and as parts of
a well oiled machine, demand of him the highest qualities of tact and
leadership. He is the District Development Officer and has to prove
true to his designation. A Deputy District Development Officer, who
is also the Secretary of the Zila Parishad, assists him in the discharge of
these onerous but exciting duties.

In the line of authority, directly subordinate to the Collector are
two Sub-Divisional Officers, stationed at Bikaner and designated
as Sub-Divisional Officer, Bikaner north and Sub-Divisional Officer,
Bikaner south. The Sub-Divisional Officers exercise revenue, magis-
terial and executive powers within their respective jurisdictions.

Under the Sub-Divisional Officers are four tahsildars assisted by
nm'fi-tahsitdars, Tahsildars have functions similar to those of the
Sub-Divisional Officers and they exercise them v/itiiin their respective
jurisdictions. The tahsils are 'further divided into G/ri/cwar circles,
each under the charge of a revenue inspector or Kanuttgo. The Girdawar

264

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikanet

circles are further sub-divided into Paiwar Halkas, being 'looked- after
by the Patwaris, as their heads. The Patwari is required to maintain
the land records and to report any untoward happening in • his Ilaqa to
the higher authorities. The actual collection of land revenue is also
done by him. Within the district, the Paiwar circles form the basic units
of revenue administration.

In view of endemic nature of famines' in Bikaner district, a post
of Additional Collector was created on a temporary basis in March,
1966, as the over-all supervision of famine, relief work rests with the
Collector.

In the horizontal line of the district administration, the special
importance of Superintendent of Police cannot be over-emphasised.
Both the Collector and the Superintendent of Police work in close
co-ordination for the maintenance of law and order within the district.

With the change of emphasis in district administration from mere
collection of revenue and maintenance of law and order to welfare and
development activities, the agencies representing the departments
connected with the developmental and welfare activities .have assumed
greater importance. In the horizontal line of administration, the district
ofhcers-in-charge of agriculture, irrigation, education, industries, animal
husbandry and poultry, public works etc., are styled as District Level
Officers. A meeting of all the District Level Officers is summoned by the
Collector once a month to discuss the co-ordination of policies, working
of the programmes and difficulties, if any, and draw plans for future
action. The Collector presides over these meetings.

The judicial matters are looked after by the District and Sessions
Judge, who is the highest judicial authority in the district. He exercises
supervision over the working of all civil and some criminal courts in
the district.

The list of District Level Officers is given at Appendix.

General Administration

265

Appendix

District Level Officers

1. District and Sessions Judge

2. Superintendent of Police

3. Executive Engineer, Public Works Department (Buildings & Roads)

4. Executive Engineer, Water Works

5. Executive Engineer, Project Division

6. Principal Medical Officer

7. Executive Engineer, Rajasthan Canal Project

8. Commercial Taxes Officer

9. Assistant Commissioner, Taxation

10. District Excise Officer

11. District Agriculture Officer (Office located at Churu but jurisdiction
extends to Bikaner district also)

12. District Industries Officer

13. Inspector of Schools

14. Inspectress of Schools

15. Social Welfare Officer

16. Public Relations Officer

17. Settlement Officer

18. District Statistician

19. Assistant Director, Health Services

20. District Medical and Health Officer

21. Assistant Director, Malaria

22. Medical Officer-in-charge, National Malaria Eradication Pro-
gramme Unit

23. Assistant Engineer, Tube Wells

24. E.xccutivc Engineer, Rajasthan State Electricity Board

25. Deputy Town Planner

26. Employment Officer

27. Assistant Regional Transport Officer

28. Superintendent of Jails

29. District Probation Officer

30. Inspector,' Devasthan

31. Inspector, Ayurved

32. Forest Range Officer

33. Assistant Rcgistr.ar, Co-operative Societies.

CHAPTER XI

REVENUE ADMINISTRATION

LAND REVENUE ADMINISTRATION

Historical Aspect

Due to lack of records, it cannot be deOnitely said how revenue
administration was carried on in the beginning of the medieval period,
prior to the foundation of Bikaner State by Rao Bika. It is, however,
evident that at that time, most of the territory was occupied by Bhatis
and various tribes, who were recorded as original settlers and claimed
all the land around their villages as their exclusive possessions and
ownerships, which they could bequeathe to their .descendents. Rao
Bika, it appeals, recognised and upheld these rights, but later, in the
15th and 17th Centuries, his descendents initiated the policy of exer-
cising their sovereign authority over the entire area. The first avail-
able reference of the Bikaner State is found in Ain-i-Akbari^. At that
time, Bikaner was recognised as a Sirkar, in the Siibah of Ajmer,
comprising eleven mahals and yielding a revenue of 47,50,000 Dams.

The methods of assessment after the seventeenth century can be
said to have varied from one ruler to another, though the most common
one in use was to measure up the land every second or third year, so
as to assess a cash rate per cultivated Bigha. The rent, called Hasil or
Rakam, was paid by the cultivator alongwith other Lag (cess) fixed
without any reference to area of land he held. This procedure resulted
in bringing sometimes a gain and sometimes a loss to the State exche-
quer, due to yearly increase or decrease in the cultivated land, as the
old cultivators migrated due to adverse climatic conditions or, in
favourable circumstances, new ones arrived. The share of the produce
was either Baiai (division) or Kmta\ (appraisement), which was charged
in addition to the cash rent. In some parts of the State, Ijara (lump
assessment) would be fixed annually for a village and distributed over
the entire cultivating population, except the Chowdharis and village
menials. In other parts, the system known as Anga bach was
prevalent, under which the revenue was collected on the basis of the
cultivated area combined with a poll tax on ploughs and cattle. The

1. Jarretl and Sarkar, Ain-t-Akbart of Abdul Fazl-i-AUomi, 1949, Vol. II, pp. 273-82.

Revenue Administration

267

demand was assessed by houses, each of which paid the following taxes
yearly : (i) Halgat at Rs. 3 per bullock plough and Rs. 5 per camel
plough; (ii) Attga at Rs 1-4-0 (Rs. 1.25) per cow, Rs. 1-8-0 (Rs. 1.50)
per buffalo, Rs. 1-12-0 (Rs. 1.75) per bullock and 3-8-0 (Rs 3.50)
per camel ; (Hi) Dhiian or house tax at Rs. 2-8-0 (Rs. 2.50)
per house; (iv) Rakhwali or protection fee at Rs. 2 per house and (v)
Fagri or poll tax ofRs. 1-4-0 (Rs. 1.25) per adult male. These rates
varied from place to place. A particular class of agricultural labour,
styled as Hali, surrendered to the Government, one-fifth of the produce

instead of paying Halgat. In a few villages, the demand was assessed
in a lump sum from house to house, varying with the economic con-
dition of (he inmates. It was called Bhint-ka-hach and was very
common in the Patta estates.

The officers, called Havaldars, used to collect revenue from
or tahsils and paid a fixed amount to the Rny, keeping the
balance with themselves on certain understanding with the State. The
Chowdharis were employed as agents for collecting revenue from the
•cultivators. The tax known as Bhitnga was also realised from the cattle-
owners, who grazed their cattle in other villages, at the rate of four
annas (25 paise) per cow, eight annas (50 paisc) per buffalo and one
rupee per camel.

The Chowdharis were permitted by Raj through a Sanad to colo-
nise and cultivate waste land in other villages. They, in their
turn, on receiving an induction fee (Haqq daul) of rupee one, could
permit new cultivators to break up land. In lieu of their services, the
Sanad permitted them to hold certain area of land on half (Adhkor) or
full iSabkar) rent-free basis. They could appropriate fees as marriage
and weighment taxes {Dharat) from the cultivators, keeping the collec-
tions to themselves. Some of the Chowdharis did receive a sum known
as Hankar (Subsistence) and an allowance of five per cent (Pachotra) on
the collection of rent from the villages. They also collected an equal
amount to the Hasil or Rakm in the 'name of Malba (village expenses)

from each cultivator and .shared it between themselves and the havil-
dars. Thus the status of the Chwodliaris nevertheless had become that

of a sub-farmer responsible for the payment of a fixed sum rather than
that of a rent collector only.

S«mni.ary Settlement

A summary settlement ofKhTtlsa villages was undertaken in 1884,
in order to evolve a uniform system of assessment and collection of

268

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

revenue throughout the State. It was a very rough settlement; the
maps, were not drawn to scale and were just better than crude sketches;
the fields were plotted mostly by the eye; but the maps showed the.;
general shape of the village boundaries and the approximate position of
the fields. This settlement was introduced for a period of five years ,
and was subsequently extended to eight years.

After the introduction of this settlement, the principles of assess-
ment were changed. Each village was now assessed at a lump sum and
for the payment of the rent and taxes the chowdharis were held jointly ,
responsible. They were deprived of the power to eject any cultivator,
who paid the proper rent.

The rates proposed for the assessment of land revenue for the
then Bikaner, Kolayat and Lonkaransar tahsils were as follows ;

Rates per bigha (0.37 acres)

Tahsil

Cultivated Land

Waste Land

Annas Pies

Pies

Bikaner

1 — 9

Ltinkaransar

1 — 6

Kolayat

1 — 9

3 '

The average of five years’ income of the State, prior to this
Summary Settlsment was Rs. 3,08,950. The Summary Settlement
assessed the revenue at Rs. 4,06,932, thereby increasing the income by
Rs. 97,982 a yeari.

This settlement was defective in that there was no uniform
policy adopted for the whole State. The State had to lose substantial
amounts of revenue whenever a cultivator left the village or abandoned
his holding, a phenomenon quite frequent because of poor quality of
soil and also because of repeated droughts and famines. In the
absence of proper administration of the unoccupied wasteland, the
State lost revenue on this account also.

Settlement of 1894-95

The first regular settlement, made in 1892-93 by P. J. Fagan, an
Assistant Commissioner of the Punjab, was brought into force in
1894-95 for a period of ten years and subsequently extended upto 1911.

1. Report on the Ailmlnlsiration of the Bikaner State, 1893-94, p, 91,

Revenue Administration

269

Survey — A regular survey was conducted only for the khaha
area with the plane table and the chain used in some parts was the
pucka 82^ feet (25.14 metres) in length. A square of two such

chains was equal to one pucka bigha or five-eighth of an acre; while in
other parts of the State, local chain 63^ feet (19.43 metres) in length,
was used and a square of two of them was equal to one Bikaneri bigha
(0.37 acre). After measuring the area of each village, the boundaries
were marked on a map and the Khasra (field register) and Khatauni
(showing the groups of separate holdings) were also prepared.

The rates fixed varied from Re. 0-3-9 (22 paisa) to Rs. 0-5-3
(33 paisa) per bigha for the cultivated land and from the two pice to
one anna (3 paisc to 6 paise) per bigha for the occupied waste land.
As per this settlement, the revenue demands for the Khulsa villages were
fixed at Rs. 3,99,054.

According to this settlement, the Chowdharis were allowed to
collect revenue at fixed rates for the land entered in the records. They
realised grazing fee from the outside cattle. In lieu of their services,
they were permitted to have five per cent {pachoira) on the fixed assess-
ment of the village only, on the condition that the dues pertaining to
their respective charge were fully paid by them to the State.

In 1912, G. D. Rudkin, Revenue Commissioner, initiated some
changes in the rates of assessment which were extended up to the end
of 1921-221. Regular settlement operations, however, vktc again
started in 1925-26 and new rates of assessment came into force in
1926-27. The length of the chain used was 127^ feel (38.85 metres).
The land was classified as cultivated and waste. The rates proposed
for the assessment of the revenue for the different tahsils were as
follows :

Cultivated

Land

Waste

Land

Koluyat

17 paisc to 23 paisc

3 paisc to 8 paise

Bikaner

IS paisc to 104 paisc

13 paise to 18 paisc

Nallkha

15 paisc to 24 paisc

1 1 paise to 1 5 paise

LtJnkaransar

21 paise

1 1 paisc

1 , toiir Dfzatfes ef /VfWri’.tr in Uikan-r, 1937, p. 35,

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

The settlement demand in the Sadar division (now roughly com-
prising the Bikaner district), stood at Rs. 3,69,526 as compared to
Rs. 2,50,242 under the previous settlement!. This settlement remained
in force till the merger.

The land of the erstwhile State of Bikaner was divided into

three groups : fi) Khalsa (Crown land), (ii) Jagir (held by grantees) and

(lii) Sasan (carved out for religious institutions during the reign of

Maharaja Ganga Singh). The Khalsa land comprised near about 32

per cent of the total area of the State. The Jagir lands, comprising

major portion of the remaining area, were of two types: (i) those held

by near relatives of the Maharaja on revenue-free basis and (ii) those

G by other Jagirdars in lieu of their past services. The second

category of jagirdars paid Rekh, besides other cesses to the State. The

asan (Dhannada) was granted for the maintenance of temples, in

Chanty to Brahmins and Charans, and were held free and in
perpetuity.

Tn • divided into two categories, Tazimi and non

n.wT’ k/ of Tazimi nobles varied during the reigns of different

the 'Jtafo were employed on important assignments in

fiEhtin.^ m The jagirdars used to supply the ruler with

thiq ‘■eign of Maharaja Ratan Singh (1828-51),

payment called Rek/i at the rate
durine ^ subsequently raised to Rs. 125, and

tSmutn? 200 per horseman. The

paidTv h ^to (protection fee) was also '

as Nazlrla olV^ ' revenue

annual income n ^ess, fixed at onc-fifth of their

further required to"keep tre""'T, They were
their cultivators contented’' The ""l condition (.46mf) and

Talab or a fine for non '

Wi7«had to n payment of ReWi. Besides, the

purch s ‘and rri' as Zata,, a tax on sain,

nase and transit of grains, cattle etc., to the ruler.

.<lminitaforon‘'^"'’,la''’“-“'‘“’’'“''''‘ '*«■' f” «>» bnllcr

was appointed to Milt., ""

to Mlinc, rnvnnun and look aftnr other administrative

1 .

four Decades of Progress In Bikaner, m?, p, 35,

Revenue Administration

271

matters. All the Kamdars of such estates were under an officer, who
acted as a deputy to the Nazim of the concerned Nizamat. In 1946-47,
there were 164 estates under the Court of Wards, out of which 132 were
directly managed, 26 due to minority, 90 due to indebtedness, 8 due to
succession disputes, two due to mismanagement, two due to Pattedar
being invalid and four due to other reasons^. In 19 12, a Round Table
Conference of Tazimi Sardars was called to discuss the matters relating
to the State and the jagirdars. It resulted in close co-operation of the
Sardars with the State administration. In 1921 again, the nobles were
invited to a conference. By calling such conferences now and then, the
jagirdars were kept in close touch with the administration, leaving no
cause for them to grumble and remain secluded and disinterested in the
affairs of the State and clinching their loyalty and subservience to the
Maharaja in the process.

Settlement in .Tagir areas

No settlement had taken place in the jagir areas till 1941. The
jagirdars used to fix rent arbitrarily and such rates in 1940 were twice
as much as in the KItalsa areas. They used to engage their own men to
go from field to field to assess the produce. 1 he methods of assessment
were Latai and Batai. The Latai method was applied to the standing
crop and the yield of the crop was estimated. The method
consisted in the assessment of jagirdar’s share after the crop had been
harvested and grain winnowed on the thrashing floor. The assessed
quantity of the produce was delivered to the jagirdar at his door and
his share varied from one third to one sixth of the produce from village
to village. The jagirdars could make any illegal exactions and they
never tried to keep any proper records.

During the reign of Maharaja Ganga Singh (1887-1943), a regular
system of payment of land revenue in cash in Jagir areas was intro-
duced and the revenue rates were specifically fixed. They varied from
two annas to ten annas (12 parse to 62 paise) per bigha according to
the quality of the lands. The settlement operations in the jagir
villages commenced on 1st January 19423 and were completed in

1. Report on the Administration of Bikaner State, 1945-46 and 1946-47.

2. Gupta, B. P., Growth of Administration in Bikaner State (1 818-1947), Unpublished
Ph.D. Thesis. University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, p. 314.

3. Report on the Administration of the Bikaner Stale, 1939-40, 1940-41, and
1941-42, p. 60.

272

Kajasttian uistrict uazetteers — uiKaner

1951-52, after the merger of the State into Rrijastlian, in 1949. The
land revenue was fixed at Re. 0-6-3 (40 paise) per biglia, both for
cultivated and uncultivated lands. It undoubtedly afforded a consider-
able relief to the tenants of the jagir areas. The State Land Revenue
and Tenancy Acts, 1945 were made applicable to jagir areas also.

Survey and attestation operations in the jagir villages were
conducted on plane table triangulatjon basis, with a chain of 165 feet
(50.29 metres) in length, except in Koiayat and Naukha tahsils, where
the half chain measusing 82J feet (25.14 metres) was used. According to
this settlement, the following amount was assessed in different tahsils :

Tahsil

Villages

Amount

(Rs.)

Bikaner

128

Koiayat

103

Lunkaransar

171

Naakha

114

The following table gives the relevant details

of the tahsils and

the rates of revenue per biglia in the district

(Paise)

Tahsil

Circle

Pala

Bilapc^Ia

Banjar

1. Bikaner

30 to 37

27 to 32

14 to 18

12 to 25

10 to 22

6 to 11

III

2. Koiayat

III

3. Nankha

22 to 36

19 to 33

9 to 15

11 {Dhord)

17 to 30

14 to 27

5 to 9

4. Lunkaransar

Bhadava

I {Dhord)

""" '

11 {Dhord)

Revenue Administration

273

The number of villages surveyed in Bikaner tahsil was 128, in
Lnnkaransar 148, in Kolayat 104 and inNaukhaI14. Due to the
resumption of jagirs (between 1952 and 1959), settlement operations
were again undertaken in 1959, in jagir villages and completed and
approved by the Government of Rajasthan in 1963. Next settlement
in this area will be due in Samvat 2030 (1973 A. d.).

Settlement after the Merger

After the formation of Rajasthan, the Settlement Office was
reorganised and put under an officer known as the Settlement Officer,
who works under the direct administrative control of the Settlement
Commissioner, Rajasthan, Jaipur. The Settlement officer, Bikaner has
jurisdiction over three districts viz., Bikaner, Ganganagar and Cburu.

The settlement operations were taken up in the year 1950. The
survey operations were carried out in 678 villages and the total area
surveyed was 28,531 sq. miles. The Jarib used in these operations
varied from tahsil to tahsil. In tahsil Ltinkaransar its length was 165
feet while in the remaining three tahsils of Bikaner, Kolayat and
Naukha it was 127i feet for Khalsa areas and 165 feet for the jagir areas.

Assessment — For assessment purposes, the Unit Value System
was adopted and the land was divided into the classes of (i) Pala^
(ii) Non-Rafa, (iii) Batijar, (iv) Cultivated and (v) Chahi, for which
highest and lowest rates (per bigha) were fixed as follows :

(Rupees)

Tahsil Soil classes Highest Rates Lowest Rates

Bikaner

1. Pala

0.36

0.17

2. Non-Pato

0.27

0.14

3. Banjar

0.18

0.09

4. Cultivated

0.21

—

5. Chahi

1.04

. —

Ltinkaransar

1. Barani

0.35

0.20

Naukha

1, Pala

0.36

0.30

2. NomPa/a

0.33

0.27

3. Banjar

0.15

0.09

4. Cultivated

0.24

0.15

Kolayat

1. Pala

0.25

0.09

2. Non-Po/a

0.19

0.05

3. Banjar

0.09

0.02

4. Cultivated

0.2^

0.17;

274

iiajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

The terms of settlement prescribed for different tahsils were as
follows ; Naukha Samvat 2008 to Samvat 2019 (1951 to 1962 a. D.).
Bikaner Samvat 2008 to Samvat 2019 (1951 to 1962 a.d.), Lunkaransar
Samvat 2008 to Samvat 2012 (1951 to 1955 A. D.) and Kolayat Samvat
2009 to Samvat 2020 (1951 to 1963 A.D.). The assessment rates were
fixed as follows :

Tahsil

Amount

(Rupees)

Naukha

1,42,161

Bikaner

73,718

Lunkaransar

55,188

Kolayat

26,285

Settlement operations were again taken up in Lunkaransar tahsil
in the year 1962 (Samvat 2019) and the term of settlement was fixed
upto Samvat 2030 (1974 a.d.). The prominent feature of this settlement
was that cesses of various types were abolished and rents were to be
realised in cash. As regards the rent in kind, it was enacted that the
maximum recoverable from a tenant shall not exceed one-sixth of the
gross produce. Pending approval of the new seetlement rates, the
previous rates are in force.

In 1954, forty-two villages of Nacbna tahsil of Jaisalmer district
were transferred to Kolayat tahsil. No settlement of those villages
had been made prior to this transfer, so after the transfer, summary
scUlcment was completed in Smrjvo/ 2013 (1956 a.d.). Again in 1960
settlement operations were taken in hand and duly completed in 1962.
The chain used for the purpose, was 165 feet (50,29 metres) in length.
The term of the settlement was fixed from Samvat 2021 to Samvat 2030
(1964 to 1973 A.D.) and the total area surveyed was 18,34,837 bighas. For
the assessment purposes the land was divided into the classes (i) Barani I
(ii) Barani II (iii) Barani III and (iv) Ghair-Miimkin

For each category the rates fixed per bigha were the following:

Barani I 6 to 16 paise

Barani 11 5 to 14 paise

Barani 111 10 paise

Ghair-Mumkin Nil

Revenue Administration

In the year 1965-66, the Settlement Officer, Bikaner was being
assisted by five Assistant Settlement Officers who had a sanctioned staff
of eight upper division and seventeen lower division cleiks, four tracers,
one sadar munsarim, thirty inspectors, one hundred and forty-two
surveyors and fifteen peons including two camel-riders.

Set-up of the Revenue Administration

As regards the set-up of the revenue administration in the period
prior to the advent of Rathors, nothing can be said definitely except
, that it might have been constantly changing due to the frequent
changes of the ruling dynasties. When the Rathors acquired this
territory, they realised State revenue either through revenue contractors
or revenue farmers, as stated earlier. The revenue during the Mughal
period, especially under Akbar, might have been realised by the ruler
direct, through the appointed Havaldars or Hakims as the authorised
farmers of the Durbar for different Hakumats or tahsils. They paid
annually to the State treasury a fixed demand agreed upon between
themselves and the Durbar. This system worked well up to 1871, when
a revenue officer with a revenue court was established. A new post of
Superintendent of Revenue was also created. In 1880, the contract
system for the revenue collection was given up and paid Tahsildars
were appointed from amongst the local residents. After 1884, it was
decided to appoint better qualified persons even if they were outsiders.

In 1885, for the better administration of the department, the
State was divided into four divisions called Nizamats, of which Bikaner,
being one, comprised two tahsils viz., Bikaner and Lunkaransar. In
1893-94, a third tahsil KoJayat, was established. A system of grading
tahsildars and naib-tahsildars was adopted in March 1889, with the
object of encouraging efficient workers by holding out prospects of
regular promotion. In April 1891, the pay grade of the tahsildars was
increased, and a horse allowance and travelling allowance for tours
were granted.

In 1910, Board of Revenue of Bikaner State was established. It
provided for better and more efficient supervision, control, co-ordina-
tion and quicker disposal of work. The other revenue earning depart-
ments viz.. Customs and Excise, Stamps and Registration were made
subordinantc to the Board. Tlie Board was authorised to frame and
issue rules with the approval of the ruler, regulating assessment and
remission of land revenue, the grant of chaks, the ciectment of

276

Rajasthan District Gazetteers—BIkaner

trespassers, exchange and transfer of holdings and various incidental
matters. Consequent on the establishment of the Board, the post of
the Revenue Officer (created in 1871) was abolished. The Board
consisted of four members namely. Revenue Members, Revenue
Commissioner, Revenue Secretary and Inspector General of Customs
and Excise. The Revenue Member was concurrently a member of
the State Council (controlling body of the administration of the State).
The Revenue Secretary was assisted by the Revenue Commissioner in
the performance of his duties. There was one Assistant Revenue
Commissioner to assist the Revenue Commissioner and to supervise
the working of the Nazims, who were the heads of the Nizamais. The
tahsildars and naib-tahsildars headed revenue administration at tahsil
and sub- tahsil levels respectively. In the lowest rung of ladder of
revenue administration were the Girdawars who performed their duties
with the help of the Patwaris.

During the period 1917-1929 the Land Records section of the
Revenue Department was overhauled and trained and competent
Girdawars and Patwaris were employed. In order to overcome the
shortage of experienced and competent staff, training facilities were
provided by the State for the prospective candidates. Another important
decision, taken by the Administration in 1913 was the preparation of
land records in Hindi. The Patwaris were ordered to transcribe demand
and collection papers in Hindi, right from 1904 onwards before which
these had been prepared in Urdu.

In 1927, due to (he opening of Gang Canal, irrigation facilities
were made available to the cultivators resulting in increase in the work
of colonisation and irrigation. On August 22, 1927, therefore, the
tate was divided into two divisions viz., Sadar and Ganganagar; the
^adar division comprised the three Nizamats oT Sadar, Sajangarh
and Rem, and the Ganganagar division, those of Suratgarh and
• nganagar. Settlement operations were begun afresh. They, however,
were confined to the area now included in Ganganagar district.

In 1935, the departments of Revenue and Irrigation were amal-
gamated and placed under a Colonisation Minister. In 1945, the
Bikaner State Land Revenue Act was passed. It provided for payment
of land revenue assessed in cash annually, in a lump sum at prescribed
per bigha rates. The period of assessment was fixed as follows ;

Revenue Administration

Klmlsa Villages— (a) Barani areas — 30 years

(b) Canal Irrigated areas

Maximum — 20 years

Minimum —10 years

After the merger of the State into Rajasthan, the whole area of
the State was placed under a Commissioner, and the Board of Revenue
Bikaner State was disbanded on 13th August 19491. For the revenue
purposes it was divided into three districts, Bikaner being one of them,
with the Collector as head of the district administration.

The Board of Revenue, Rajasthan was established at Ajmer
according to the provisions of the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956.
It is the highest court of appeal, revision and reference in Rajasthan in
revenue matters. It is empowered to exercise supervision and control
over all the revenue courts (Divisional Commissioner’s, Collector’s and
Tahsildar’s courts) and the revenue officers of the State. In 1961, the
post of the Divisional Commissioner was abolished. The district has
been divided into two sub-divisions, viz., Bikaner north and Bikaner
south; each having two tahsils. Thus there are four tahsils comprising
fifteen Girdawar circles and 131 Patwar Halkas. details of which are as
folIows2 ;

Sub-Division

T.nhsil

Naib

tahsils

Girdawar

Circles

Patwar

Halkas

1. Bikaner north

Bikaner

Lunkaransar

2. Bikaner south

Naukha '

Kolayat

Total

131

The detailed information regarding the location of Girdawar
circles and Patwar llalkas is given in Appendix I.

Income from Land Revenue

As per available records, the land revenue of the erstwhile
Bikaner State (formed now into three districts of Bikaner, Churu and

t. Vide Gazette notification of Law Department of United State of Rajasthan,
No. 27/LD/USR dated 13th A«rust, 1949, cf. its danse No. 19,

2, Source : CoHccioratc, Rikaper.

278

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Ganganagar) was Rs. 5,80,321 in the year 1 ^ 83 - 84 , during the rdgn of
Maharaja Dungar Singh. At the time of accession of
Ganga Singh to the throne in 'he year 1887-88, it was Rs. v.

yearwise record of the revenue collected by the entire State is avail i
but it is difficult to break it up for the area comprising the preseni
Bikaner district. However, assuming the then Bikaner Mzflinot appro -
mately co-terminus with the present Bikaner district, the reven
accruing in it during 1942-43 to 1946-47 is given below separate y
for Kh&lsa and Jagir areas :

(Rupees)

Year

Demand

Collection

Balance

Land Revenue from Khsilsa Villages

1942-43

8,51,070

8,14,137

36,933

1944-45

6,27,902

5,77,836

50,066

1945-46

5,95,972

4,89,548

1,06,424

1946-47

6,40,975

5,60,768

80,207

Tribute

from Jagirdars

1942-43

6,90,611

5,25,496

1,65,115

1944-45

4,48,476

3,16,739

1,31,737

1945-46

4,25,596

2,41,016

1,84,580

im-Ai

4,39,212

2,30,432

2,08,780

The demand, collection.

remission and balance of land revenue

for the Bikaner district for the period 1957-58 to

1965-66

is given

below' :

(Rs. in Lakhs)

Year

Demand

Collections Remissions

Balance

(arrears and

current)

1957-58

26.45

1.26

25.19

1958-59

25.08

8.11

16.97

1959-60

14.15

8.75

3.36

2.04

1960-61

14.26

3.50

8.76

2.00

1961-62

13.85

8.44

1.39

4.02

1962-63

13.81

0.23

13.58

1963-642

13.80

0.22

—

13.58

1964-65

13.81

0.23

0.79

12,79

1965-66

15.92

12.10

1.50

2.32

Remission of land revenue has almost been a regular feature due
to the climatic conditions of this area.

1 . Stotislical Abstract, KiTjastliSti, yearly volumes for various years.

2. F^urcs for the year 1963-fi4 supplied by Dircctorale ot rconornics and Stallsiics,

Itdjasth, an, Jaipur, • ‘ \

Revenue Administration

279

LAND REFORMS

Position of the Tenants

Before the formation of Rajasthan, though there were written
tenancy laws in the Bikaner State, but these enactments were conser-
vative in nature. They merely sought to give legal shape to prevailing
customs or practices. Full rights of transfer were recognised in the
case of occupancy tenants on Klia.!sa lands in the State. The tenants
had to pay premium or Nazarana as the price of acquiring rights of
transfer. Even after the payment of Nazarana, transfers were subject to
the prior sanction of the Maharaja. In 1942, as per Bikaner State
Government orders, tenants holding land for 20 years or more had
been declared Khatedars and the remaining tenants were recorded as
Ghair-Dakhilkars (temporary cultivators). The tenants in the jagir
areas could not acquire occupancy rights at all. The jagirdars for
all intents and purposes were owners of the jagir lands, and payment
made by them to the State had no bearing on the amount realised
from their tenants. In most of jagir areas, rent was realised by taking
a share of produce, ranging from one-half to one-eighth. In the unsettled
jagir areas, the tenants were more or less tenants-at-will. They were
forced to pay many levies^ of which some were the following : —

1. Malba or Pachhotra —to meet the actual expenses of the

Thikana officials on duty for collection
of revenue.

2 .

Naiiwa

Korad

Begar or forced labour

Khuntabandi and
Pancharai

— for meeting the expenses of maintaining
the accounts-books.

— for fodder for the maintenance of
horses and camels of the Jagirdars.

— grazing fee realised in respect of camels,
sheep and goats.

6. Shradba levy — realised in the form of ghee and milk

from tenants for celebrating the shradha
of the forefathers of Jagirdars.

Abolition of Jagirs

The first and foremost task before the Government of Rajasthan
after its formation, was the abolition of intermediaries on land.

1 . Gupta, B.P., Growth of AdmmUtration in Bikaner State (1818-1547), unpublished
Ph. D. thesis. University of Rajasthan, pp. 287-325,

280

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

The Rajasthan Land Reforms and Resumption of Jagirs Act,
1952 was brought into force with effect from I8th February, 1952. The
Jagirdars, however, challenged the constitutional validity of the legis-
lation and the provisions of the Act largely remained unim piemen ted
for over two years, till the High Court and the Supreme Court held it
intra vires. As a result of Hehru award, the original act was amended
in several important aspects by the Rajasthan Land Reforms and
Resumption of Jagirs (Amendment) Act, 1954. Cash jagirs or grants
of money by way of jagirs, were also abolished with effect from 1st
April, 1958, under the Rajasthan Cash Jagirs Abolition Act, 1958.
The compensation payable to a Jagirdar was seven times his net
annual income, calculated in accordance with the provisions contained
in the Act. All the jagirs have been resumed and compensation paid
to the Jagirdars. The amount paid to the Jagirdars as compensation,
upto the end of the financial year 1965-66 was Rs. 3,094 thousand,
Rs. 1,329 thousand as interim compensation in cash and Rs. 1,765
thousand in the form of bonds.

Tenancy Reform

During the princely administration, on the whole, a tenant of
Khalsa land enjoyed greater security of tenure than his counterpart of
jagir land. He paid a fixed rent in cash, while a tenant of jagir land
was open to harassment by the Kamdars of the Jagirdar. He was
liable to ejectment by the intermediaries and could not go in appeal to
the Maharaja, who was interested only in the realisation of the Rekh
from the Jagirdar. The situation, however, improved during the reign
of Maharaja Ganga Smgh, who ordered in 1941, the grant of occu-
pancy rights to agriculturists in unirrigated village of the State.
These privileges were also extended to the tenants in the jagir areas.!

After the formation of Rajasthan, the Government protected
the rights of the tenants in many ways. An ordinance was promulgated
in June 1949, called the Rajasthan (Protection of Tenants) Ordinance,
1949, later replaced by the Rajasthan Tenancy Act 1955. According
to the provisions of 1949 Ordinance no tenant was liable to be ejected or
dispossessed otherwise than in accordance with the procedure of the
law. It also provided a simple and quick process for reinstatement
of tenants forcibly ejected. This came as a boon to the tenants securing
them possession of land cultivated by them which ultimately resulted

L Report on the Administration of Bikaner State, 1939-40 to S941-42, p. 60.

Revenue Administration

in the accrual of Khaiedari rights to them in their holdings. This was
followed by Rajasthan Tenancy Act 1955 and The Rajasthan Land
Revenue Act, which conferred several rights and privileges on the
tenants and the security of their tenures. The most note-worthy
feature of the Tenancy Act was that all those who were cultivating their
holdings as tenants on 15th October, 1955, the date on which the Act
came into force, automatically and without payment of any compen-
sation acquired Khatedari rights with practically full powers of devolu-
tion and transfer and immunity from ejectment, except in accordance
with the provisions of the Act. These rights were also conferred on
sub-tenants, if they were recorded as such or were proved to be so,
under certain circumstances through payment of small compensation
to the land-holder. The revolutionary principle of the modern age
that land belongs to the tiller of the soil, was sought to be implemented.
The Land Revenue Act prescribed the maximum rent in cash or kind
that a tenant was liable to pay. The cash rent was not to exceed
double the amount of land revenue and the rent in kind was not to
exceed one-sixth of the gross produce.

Another important provision of the Tenancy Act was the ban
on the levy of various cesses. But despite this, certain cesses continued
to be levied in various areas. The Rnjasthan Discontinuance of Cesses,
Act, 1959 was passed for their abolition.

Revenue Cases

The following statement shows the disposal of revenue cases in
the district for the years from 1959-60 to 1965-66 i:

(Number)

Year

Opening

Balance

Instituted

Total

Disposed of

Closing Balance

1959-60

555

1,115

1,670

1,216

454

1960-61

454

1,787

2,241

1,742

499

1961-62

499

3,420

3,919

3,248

671

1962-63

671

2,615

3,286

1,977

1,309

3963-64

1,309

3,890

5,199

4,098

1,101

1964-65

1,101

1,674

2,775

1,754

1,021

1965-66

L62I

1,893

2,914

1,899

1,025

1. Source : Dirccioretc of Economics and Statistics, Kdjastban, Jaipur.

282

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Land Holdings

A committee was appointed in November 1953 for the fixation
of ceilings on holdings of agricultural land in Rajasthan. The
Rajasthan Tenancy (Sixth Amendment) Act 1959, was enacted in
March I960. It fixed ceilings on holdings. A family of five or less
members, could own a maximum of thirty standard acres of land. The
area in excess of this ceiling had to be surrendered to the State for
which due compensation was to be paid. The surrendered land
was to be let out to landless and other persons on the terms and
conditions laid down in the rules. The notification calling upon the
land-holders to surrender their excess areas to the Government has yet
to be issued.

Landless Agricultural Workers

As per the Census Report of 1961, the total number of landless
agricultural workers in the district was 8d6 in rural areas and 116 in
urban areas. The Government have taken steps to allot them unoccu-
pied land.

Bhoodan and Grnmdan

Due to the Bhoodan movement, sponsored by Vinoba Bhavc,
lands have been donated to the Bhoodan Yagna Board, recognised by
Bhoodan Yagna Act 1954, brought into force from 7th August 1954.
The Riijasthan Bhoodan Yagna Board started functioning in January
1955. Further developments occasioned by the donations of grams
(called Grarndan), ultimately necessitated legislation for the establish-
ment of Grarndan and for the constitution of Gramsabhas to manage
the land received as grarndan and to perform other .incidental
functions. The Rajasthan Grarndan Act, accordingly, was passed on
18th December, 1959, and came into force from 8th June, 1960. This
Act permits the land-holders to donate their rights to the Gramsabhas
and makes various incidental provisions.

The yearly progress of the Bhoodan movement, showing the
number of donors, land donated and distributed, and the number of
families benefited, is given in the following tabled :

1. Statistical Abstract, RiijastbSn, yearly volumes for various years.

Revenue Administration

283

Year

Donors

(No.)

Land donated
(Hectares)

Land distri-
buted
(Hectares)

Families

benefited

(No.)

1956

210

1957

—

1958

2,330

261

1959

527

559

1960

498

1961

—

2,184

198

1962

—

2,109

208

1963

—

2,139

1964

546

166

1965

—

386

140

1966

—

386

140

OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE

Post Sources

Besides the land revenue, a number of taxes were levied and
Lags realised by the former Bikaner State Government. There were
import and export duties on Til and Sugar, Raki7j (a fixed military
tribute), Rekfi (money payment in lieu of military service), Rakhwali
(protection fee) and Ragri or poll tax per adult male. Besides, twenty
two taxes of peculiar type were collected, which have been given at
appendix II. It is difficult to ascertain the years when the different
taxes were introduced in the State, After the accession of Maharaja
Ganga Singh, many of them were abolised. It was a practice with the
rulers to abolish some taxes and order levy of others at the time of
their accession to the Gaddi (throne).

Present Sources

At present, the main sources of slate revenue, besides the land
revenue, are state excise, sales tax, entertainment tax, registration fees
and stamps and taxes on vehicles. The sources of revenue of the
Government of India include taxes on income and property, customs
and union excise.

Registration ites — Under the Indian Registration Act of 1908,
registration is compulsory in case of certain documents and optional in
case of others. .The Collector of the district is the ex-officio Dhtn'ct

284

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Registrar under the Act. Under him there is a sub-registrar, who
actually registers documents, for which the required stamp duties and
registration fees have to be paid. He also keeps a record of the regis-
tered documents and, on application, issues their certified copies.

The following statement gives the deeds registered by Sub-
Registrar, Bikaner city and income derived therefrom during the years
1960-61 to 1965-661:

Year

Documents registered (No.)

Income (Rupees)

1960-61

1,775

27,951

1961-62

1,636

30,231

1962-63

2,075

33,906

1963-64

1,845

33,474

1964-65

1,669

33,200

1965-66

1,254

34,526

Stamps — Under the Stamps Act, the District Treasury Officer
functions as custodian of Stamps for the purpose of storage as well as
distribution and sale through the sub-treasuries, numbering three in the
district, and stamp vendors. There is only one stamp vendor at the
district headquarters. During the last five years from 1961-62 to 1965-65,
income from the sale of non-judicial and judicial stamps has been
given below2:

(Rupees)

Year

Non-judicial

Judicial

Stamps

1961-62

2,01,157

1,31,164

1962-63

2,35,631

1,42,120

1963-64

7,63,824

2,07,596

1964-65

14,07,509

5,35,452

1965-66

7.06,876

3,01,759

Registration of Motor Veiucees-As per provisions of the
Rajasthan Motor Vehicles Act-, the Collector is the registering authority
for the motor vehicles in the district. The following table gives the

1. Source : OfTicc of the Sub-Registrar, Bikaner Citv.

2 Source -. Treasury OlTiccr, Bikaner. ’

Revenue Administration

285

year-wise number of registered vehicles and the total amount of
revenue collected'^ ;

Year

Vehicles registered
(No )

Registration fee
(Rs.)

1960-61

1,268

1961-62

101

1.182

1962-63

105

1,053

1963 64

1,372

1964-65

103

1,967

1965-66

1,550

Excise and Taxation — Before the merger of Bikaner State into
Rajasthan, Customs and Excise Department was under the charge of an
officer known as Inspector-General of Customs and Excise. The Excise
Act and Manual and the Customs Act and Manual and Tariff were intro-
duced in 1911. Some amendments were made in the Customs Act in
1916 and 1922. The Excise Act and Manual were also revised in 1922.
Dangerous Drugs Regulation was incorporated in the Excise Manual
under the expert advice of J. A. Pope, the then Excise Commissioner,
Central India. Hemp-Drugs, originally sold on contract system, were
imported by contractors under permits issued by the Excise Department.
This system was abolished in' 1921-22, and replaced by import of the
drugs directly by the State. Again the import of opium was
stopped in November, 1931 and replaced by imports only on State
account for issue to the license holders for retail sale. Such measures
improved the working of the system and the Government was able to
earn a revenue of Rs. 16,44,759 as excise in 1945-46.

After the formation of Rajasthan, under provisions of the Sales
Tax Act of 1954, custom duty was replaced by Sales Tax. Accordingly,
the former Department of Customs and Excise came to be designated
as the Department of Excise and Taxation. In the year 1964, this
Department was bifurcated into two separate Departments of Excise
and Commercial Taxcs.In the district at present, an E.xcise Officer and a
Commercial Taxes Officer are looking after these two departments
rcspcclively.

J. Source : RcrlsJerln? Authority, Motor Vehicles pcparltr.cnf,

286

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

The District Excise Officer, Bikaner is assisted in his work by
Circle Inspectors, one Prosecuting Inspector and other ministerial and
field staff. The revenue from excise for the last three years, is shown
in the following tabled :

(Rupees)

Revenue Administration

2S7

(Rs. in thousands)

Year

Sales tax

Passenger
and goods
tax

Enter-

tainment

tax

Electri-
city duty

Customs-

Agricul-

tural

income

tax

1961-61

1,198

152

131

-- - .

0.01

1961-62

1,366

166

193

—

1.33

1962-63

1,713

203

263

115

0.51

1963-64

2,676

236

326

166

—

1964-65

2,677

295

344

187

0.07

0.32

1965-66

3,115

391

410

220

0.51

—

Income tax — The most important source of revenue of the
Government of India in the district is the Income Tax. The Bikaner
State introduced income tax first under the provisions of the State
Income-Tax Act, 1940, in the same year. The following income
accrued under this head during 1944-45 to 1946-471:

Year Amount (Rs.)

1944- 45 330

1945- 46 38,131

1946- 47 9,638

For the collection of income tax, there are three Income Tax
Officers, one class I and two class II, in the district at present. They are
assisted by two inspectors and necessary complement of ministerial and
class four employees.

The Railway and Postal Departments of the Government of
India are also revenue earning agencies.

Besides, these revenue earning departments of the State and the
Centre, the municipal committees are also empowered to raise revenue
by levying octroi, taxes on houses and lands, lighting, water conser-
vancy rates and taxes on professions and trade etc. Sources of
income of Pancliayats include taxes on vehicles, buildings, and
commercial crops and pilgrim tax.

1, Report on the Adminisfraiwn of Bikaner State for 19AA~45 to 1946-47,

288

Rajasthaa District Gazetteers — Blkaoer

Appendix I

Girdawar (Inspector) anil Patwar Circles in Bikaner District

Tahsil Girdawar Patwar circle

(Inspector)
circle

Bikaner pQgal

Sattasar

Jainsar

Bikaner

Lonkaransar Dhcercra

Kiimbhana

Mahiijan

Lnnkaransar

1. BaUar2. Dantor S.Siyasar Chogan
4, Beriyawali 5. Ranlsar 6. Pngal
7.GangajaH 8. Jodhasar 9.Amarapur
10. Kakriila 11. Ranevvala 12. Chha>-
ttragarh 13. Sattasar 14. Motigarh
15. Karnlsar Bhatiyan • 16. Jaimalsar
17. Noorsar Jalwali 18. Kalasar.

19. Shobhasar

20. Nalbari 21. Kfinasar 22. Udasar
23. Bamblu 24. Jamsar 25. Maiasar
26. Rooniyan Barwas 27. Sareram

28, Gnsainsar

29. Tejrasar 30. Napasar 31. Gadh-
wala 32, Bikaner 33, Karnlsar
34. Gangashabar 35, Palana
36. Deshnokc 37. Kcsar Dcsar Ja an

38. Mundsar

39, SodJnvaJi 40. Riijasar Bhatiyan
41. Molasar42, Kujti 43, Khokhrana
44. Dheereia 45, Hansera

46. Mahadcowali 47. KfmoJai 48.
Khurbitra 49. Jagor 50. Hindaun
51. Kumbhana S2. Roja

53. Khanisar 54.Bhojrasar 55. Maha-
jan 56, Manoriya 57. Rambag 58.
Shcrpura 59. Jaitpura 60. Suin 61,
Kakarwrda.

62. Kaparisar 63.Shekhsar 64. Rajasar
alias Karnisar 65, Kisbanahar
66. Garabdcsar 67. Ranasar 68. Kalu
69. Lunkaransai

Revenue Administration

2o9

APPENDIX I (concld.)

1 2 3

Naukha

Kolayat

Naukha Mandi 70. Bhadla 71. Saruda 72, Sadhuna
73. Kaku 74, Dawar 75, Charkara
76. Kudru 77. Naukha Mandi
78. Sinjguru 79. Somalsar 80. Himat-
sar

Jasrasar 81. Jasrasar '82. Kakda 83. Udsar

84. Sadasar 85. Kuchor Aguni
86. Kuchor Athuni 87, Badhnu
88. Morkhana Athoona 89. Bairasar
90. Gajsukhdesar 91. Mensar

Panchun 92. Jaisinghdesar Magra 93. Dharnog

94. Nathusar 95. Panchun A
96. Udasar 97. Naukha gaon
98. Janglu 99. Bhamatsar 100. Surpura
101. Desilsar 102, Panchun B

Barsalpur

Bajoo
Kolaya t
Diyatra

103. Magrewala 104. Jagasar
105. Sherwala 106. Bhaleri 107. Man-
kasar 108, Barsalpur 109. Raiwala
110. Ranjitpura 111. Godoo 112.
Bajoo 113. Beehmampur
114. Nagrasar 115. Girajsar 116.
Gariyala 117. Bithnokc 118. Surjara

1 1 9. Khari giarnan . 120^ ^ Bholasar
121. Akasar-ii2rKolayat- i2|^

, d24Vl5i^(fa ^ '<1*25: 'Mandalchainan
.^''^l-^.^^^Kane-ka* Gaon"" 1 27 . JHandaiV,
i'lfi' Jlfaju 129.' Slana 130. Khindas'aW
.131..l!>asodi.

290

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Appendix 11

Peculiar Taxes Colli cted in the Erstwhile State of Bikaneri

1. tax levied on shops and on the sale of camels and certain

goods in the city.

2. Afim-ka-Saitda—ox license tax on speculation in the price of opium;
it was levied on each speculator and varied from Rs. 2 to Rs. 6.

3. Menh-ka~Satida—]\c&ns& tax on speculation on probability of
rainfall.

4. Tankri ghi — raw sugar, Zarda tamakit (chewing tobacco) as taxes
on the weighing of these articles.

5. Kapara~ki~daUaU — tax on cloth merchants in the shape of broker-
age.

6. Sona-Rupa-ki-Chadami — tax on the sale of gold and silver.

7. Kandoi~ka-laga — license tax on the making of sweetmeats for
festivals.

8. Kiraut 'lagon-ki-bach — annual lumpsum license tax on craftsmen,
such as goldsmiths, iron mongers, tailors, shoe-makers etc., indivi-
dually assessed and collected by the respective cliauditaris.

9. Khola or adoption fee on persons adopting a son, determined
according to his means, subject to a maximum of Rs. 1,000.

10. Chauth Zamin was distinguished under two heads, viz., the sale
(within the city) of land and buildings belonging to the Durbar,
and that of private individuals. In the former case, the whole of
the proceeds were credited to the Durbar, while in the latter, one-
fourth was taken by the Slate.

11. Gn/nm/ or proceeds of unclaimed property or property in Bikaner
belonging to a deceased Bikaner subject without a male heir-an
oppressive practice abolished by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the
year 1924.

12. Dliuan — house tax for each family.

1. Powlclt, P.W., Gazenecr nf Bikaner State (1874), (Reprinted 1935), pp. 145-146.

Revenue Administration

291

appendix II (concld.)

13. Kiirar JInmkera — tax for fodder for each family.

14. Neota bach — tax on presents on occasions of marriage, at Rs. 7
and 7 takas (or 14 pice) — abolished by Maharaja Sadul Singh in
1943.

15. Talibab — cess leyied on non-agriculturist classes, at Rs. 2 on
each family and Rs. 4 per camel.

16. —tax on sheep and goats, at the rate of Re. I for every
14 heads.

17. Chaudrbab~^i Rs. 11 from each village Chaudhari.

18. Koi and Khai bach — tax occasionally levied for the repairs of the
Bikaner fort.

19. Peshkash — succession fee on pattas generally equal to the yearly
rakm (amount) payable by the patta-holders, but sometimes very
much more.

20. Nazram — levied on occasion of change of pattas, and often arbi-
trary when the ruler wanted money.

21. Raj Tilak — present made to the ruler on occasion of accession to
the gadi. It consisted of horses, elephants, gold mohurs etc.

22. Salselari — tax levied f rom Dheds (a very low caste) at 2 or 2h
cent per family.

per

CHAPTER Xri

LAW AND ORDER AND JUSTICE

INCIDENCE OF CRIME

The following statement shows the incidence of the major crimes
m the district from 1957 to 19661.

Year

Dacoity

Robbery

Murder

Riot

Burglary

Cattle

theft

Other

theft

Misc.

Total

1958

1959

1960

1961

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

17
7

27
23

14
10

15
8

72
97

73
96
90

117

195

146

128

151

109

115

128

131

153

174 403

188 480

177

234

214

239

291

246

301

298

419

488

476

566

715

636

686

756

aim riI!'Tr,**rT rabb'i-y.

robbe ” ' ravaal that

and m'lr: ■“ by oreaniaed ganp or dcsparadoar,

decrease hal r‘ f i, Kidnapping for ransom is on tile

l" r ™ '■"“"‘""S mnilaaby for which no

infer, L , his S ^'^“*'m"of'begnngsofdacoi,s who had
Strict, and the menace is now more or less non-existent.

.her, in''crdmV«2“imnn'''”'Ti "“n' '’nrgla,^ and

poverty of the pconle Rf«' attributed to the general

arrest by crossinTthe bordr '

J 6 nti^iicnl Abstract, B&jasth^^n, ycirly volumes. 1958 priw.icds,

taw And Order And Justice

293

POLICE

Historical Background

Police duties, till the end of last century, were performed solely
by the local militia and the jagir militia in their respective jurisdictions.
With a view to securing the efficient detection, registration and
pubishment of a crime, a separate department known as the Girai was
established in 1883 and was placed under a Superintendent; but the
organisation of a military corps delite (Imperial Camel Corps) some-
what distracted attention from the police. It was primarily an arrange-
ment to safeguard the triple border of Sikar, Shekhawati (Jaipur) and
Bikaner, as is evident from the (establishment of tfiaiias and 13 cliowkis
between Nima on the south to Khurdeot on the north in April 1880.
They were further strengthened by the addition of camel sowars and
Burkandazes. Owing to an increase in the number of cattle thefts and
highway robberies in 1887-88, it was considered expedient to establish
16 additional (lianas at various points both on the southern and the
western borders, and for the first time, in some of the more notorious
villages in the interior of the Stale. The Thakurs were also reminded
of their duty to keep down crime within their re'pectivc jagirs. In
addition, four girdawars or inspectors of police were appointed to
supervise the work of police stations and out-posts. The number of
police stations continued to grow as 24 additional (lianas were establi-
shed within next five years; one in 1888, six in 1889, six in 1891, five
in 1892 and six in 1893. To regularise police organisation and its
administration, a Police Code was promulgated on April I, 1889,
which was replaced by the Police Act in 1922.

The most outstanding problems that the police administration
had to face during the 19th Century, included the non-co-operative
attitude adopted by the officials of the former Rajputana States who,
instead of acting jointly for the suppression of crime, refused to follow
up tracks brought to their border and did all they could to screen
offenders of their own areas. This resulted in pointed charges and
counter-charges brought . against each other, which very often were
without foundation. Disgruntled powerful elements frequently turned
into gangs of desperadoes, roaming about fearlessly through the
:ountrysidc and stricking terror in all and sundry. These gangs were
able to elude the authority because they had influential connections,
nntl received protection of powerful elements. Then there were
members of the criminal tribes, who operated and thrived under the

294

RSjasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

protective cover of the robber Thakurs who supplied them with horses
and camels and concealed the plunder and the stolen property.

During the reign of Ratan Singh (1828-51), border dacoity was
so rife in the south and south-east that a special force, called Shekha-
wati Brigade, was raised to suppress it. The Brigade soon suppressed
the activities of the Thakurs who were accustomed to violating the
authority of the Rulers. The presence of the brigade greatly improved
the controlling power of the Maharaja to reduce the turbulent nobles
to submission. But the trouble again arose during the rule of Maharaja
Sardar Singh (1851-72) who failed to improve his relations ryith thakurs.
In 1869, the Political Agent intervened and affected a temporary
settlement between the ruler and his jagirdars but a crisis arose in
1883 which could be settled only through the intervention of the British
force from Nasirubad. It was during the rule of Ganga Singh that the
authority of the Ruler was formally established and the feudal lords
were shorn off their power and ability to challange the Ruler’s fiat and
to provide a sanctuary to the criminals. Although the privilege of
providing what may be called a crime sanctuary to protect and provide
shelter to criminals was abolished in 1870, yet the connivance of the
thakurs in certain crimes could not be curbed till they were stripped of
their judicial powers. During the early years of Maharaja Ganga
Singh s rule, the liquidation of a number of notorious gangs of dacoits
and freebooters, and the adoption of ameliorative measures for the
rehabilitation of the members of criminal tribes, brought the crime
situation under control.

adopted in 1889. Police Stations were

1904 Tom investigating officers was raised in

appointed fTti n Police, for the State, was

thatTe r wToSs ^‘^""Sth of police in

SupefintenTen, ’ T"""® District

siT nsu ct Superintendent for city, four inspectors, ' fifty

jam dTr 230 T “^^i^tant court inspectors. 29

scveniv Act ^ ’^^^kandez and

ratio of the ^ and other establishment. The

Law And Order And Justice

295

To improve its working it was equipped from time to time with better
weapons and means of communication which were machanised by 1947.
Its total strength in 1947 was 2,310, consisting of an Inspector-General,
2 Deputy Inspectors General, six Superintendents, 3 Deputy and
Assistant Superintendents, 30 inspectors, 116 sub-inspectors, 314 head
constables, 154 literate constables, 425 mounted constables and 1259
foot constables. The ratio of the force to population and area at that
time was 1 to 560 and 1 to 10.1 sq. miles respectively. The entire
organisation cost Rs. 931.078 annually.

For purposes of police administration, besides the railway, the
State was divided into six districts, viz., Bikaner, Suratgaih,
Ganganagar, Rajgarh and Sojangarh, each under a Superintendent of
police except the Railway which was under an inspector. The
superintendents were assisted by inspectors who supervised and inspected
the work of the police stations and posts in their respective circles.
There were 62 police stations and 19 out-posts besides the police lines at
Bikaner and Ganganagar.

In each police station, there were usually one sub-inspector, one
head constable (two in Ganganagar district where crime was heavy),
one literate constable, besides sowars, constables and a Khoji (tracker).
At each police post, one head constable, one literate constable in
addition to sowars, constables and a Khoji (tracker) was provided.

The Police set-up on the eve of merger

In the-year 1951 for (he purpose of Police administration, the
area comprising the district then was divided into two circles, 10 police
stations and six poice out-posts, each under the charge of an inspector,
a sub-inspcctor and a head constable respectively, with an overall
control of the Superintendent of Police, who was assisted by a Deputy
or an Assistant Superintendent of Police. Besides the Armed Police
which included two inspectors, 13 Sub-Inspectors, 96 head constables
and 183 constables, the total police strength consisted of 30 sub-
inspectors), 70 head constables and 634 Constables.

The following statement shows the names and location of circles,
stations and out-posts before merger.

296

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Circle

Police stations

Location of Police
Out-Posts.

Circle Sadar Bikaner

1. Deshnoke

2. Napasar

3. Pagal

4. Garsar

5. Diyatra

Udat

6. Gajner

Kolayat

Palace Gajner

2. Circle Ltinkaransar

1. Ltinkaransar

2. Lumbhana

3. Jasrasar

Shaikhsar

4. Naukha

Pahehun

Guard Shrpura.

After the merger of the erstwhile State of Bikaner in Rajasthan,
the district was put under the control of a Superintendent of
Police who worked under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector
General of Police, Bikaner Range with headquarters at Bikaner. The
total strength of the civil police force consisted of 32 sub-inspectors,
71 head constables, 601 constables, besides the armed police which
included two inspectors, 13 sub-inspectors, 87 head constables and
317 constables.

Present Position

The police force in the districts, is divided into two categories,
namely, civil police and armed police. The armed police deals mainly
with dacoits and robbers and is also called upon to aid the civil
police when a large scale breach of peace is threatened. The total
strength of the police force in 1966, consisted of six inspectors, 45 sub-
inspectors. 14 assistant sub-inspectors, 123 head constables and 804
constables and was distributed in two wings as under :

Armed Police

Inspector

Sub-inspectors

Head constables

Constables

202

Civil Police

Inspectors

Sub-inspectors

Asstt. Sub-inspectors

Head constables

Constables

602

Law And Order And- Justice

J97

Besides, there are a Superintendent of Police and three Deputy
Superintendents, who are common to both armed and civil force.

For the purpose of police administration, the district has been
divided into three circles, thirteen police stations and twenty>four out-
posts. Their details are given in Appendix

Traffic Police

A separate contingent of traffic police drawn from the civil
police to direct and control the traffic is also in existence. The present
strength of the traffiepo lice consists of one sub-inspector, two head
constables and 34 constables.

Mounted Police

There is no separate mounted police in the district but allowance
at the rate of Rs. 40 per month has been sanctioned to 83 constables
for maintaing their personal camels in police stations and out-posts for
carrying out process service and patrolling.

Range Training School, Bikaner

The School was established by the Deputy Inspector General of
Police Bikaner range in 1957 for the initial training and refresher
course of constables. The average number of peisons trained in
refresher course annually is 159 while that of recruits is 110.

Railway Police

During the time of the erstwhile Bikaner Slate, the Railway Police
was under (he control of the Inspector Genera! of Police. Under him
an inspector who was responsible for the maintenance of law and order
over 1421.13 km. (883.05 miles), railway track in (he State’ territor}'.
The total strength of the Railway Police was 75 and the average length
falling within the beat of each police man was 18.84 km. (1 1.77 miles).
After the merger of the erstwhile State of Bikaner, the State Railway
Police formed part of the Northern Railway Police. It was put under
the charge of the Superintendent of Railway Police, Rajasthan Circle,
with headquarters at Ajmer. The total strength of the Railway Police,
the number and location of police station and out-post are as follows :

kajasltan iDiStricl (jazelteers — Bikaner

:^8

Sanctioned strength in 1966

Sub-

Inspectors

Head

Constables

Total

Police Station Bikaner

Out-post Lallgarh

Total

• 42

The following table gives the number of crimes committed on
the railways after formation of Rajasthan. It will appear that oespite

the rise in population and increase in traffic and transport of goods
on railways, the number of offences has not gone up and remains well
under control.

Year

Theft in
running
trains

Theft at
stations

Theft at

goods

yards

Misc.

crimes

Total

1951

1952

1953

1954

1955

1956

1957

1958

.11

1959

1960

1961

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1, Source-Office of the Superintendent ot Police, Railways, Ajmer.

Law And Order And Justice

299

Anti-Corruption Organisation

Anti-Corruption Organisation at Bikaner was established in 1957
and the jurisdiction of Dy. Superintendent of Police, Anti-Corrruption
Department, Bikaner covers the districts of Bikaner, Churu and
Nagaur.

Since its inception till the end of June 1966, 277 complaints
pertaining to district Bikaner were registered and 273 enquiries out of
them were completed. During this period, 21 government servants
w'ere either punished departmentally or convicted by the courts on
charges of corruption. 31 departmental enquiries against government
servants are still pending with the Disciplinary Authorities while two
cases are pending trial in the court of the District and Sessions Judge,
Bikaner, who is empowered to try such cases under the Prevention of
Corruption Act, 1947.

Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (R.A.C.)

The Rajasthan Armed Constabulary was raised as a special body
of police under an act passed in 1950 to assist the regular police when
ever the law and order situation threatened to get out of hand and
especially to patrol the border areas. One R.A.C. battalion is posted
in the district.

CIVIL DEFENCE

Civil Defence measures were introduced in the district in October
1962. The training courses Tor Civil Defence personnel were organised
from 25th November, 1962 at two centres, namely, Dungar College,
Bikaner and Municipal Council, Bikaner. 690 persons were accor-
dingly trained in 1962. Again in 1965-66, Civil Defence measures
were adopted after the out-break of hostilities between India and
Pakistan. 96 persons were trained as instructors. About 30 of such
trained inspectors were posted as Post Wardens and the rest were
ensfrusted to train up Civil Defence workers. 500 persons were trained
in 1965.

Warden Services

Warden services have been organised in the district with the
appointment of twenty wardens and 346 persons as sectors- in-charge,
45 House Fire parties consisting of ISO persons, eight Reserve Parties
consisting of 96 persons and 34 First Aid parties, consisting of 136
persons have also been fornicd. In addition, a combined Coptroj

300

Rajasthan District Gazetteers —Bikaner

Room-cum-Report Centre has been set up in the Police lines, Bikaner.
Refresher training in civil defence is also imparted at two centres —
Town Hall and Sadul Multipurpose Higher Secondary School, Bikaner.

Home Guards

There are 757 Urban and 475 Rural Home Guards in the district.
The services of these Home Guard volunteers were utilised during the
emergency in 1965 for keeping a watch over all the vulnerable points
in the district.

. JAIL ADMINISTRATION

Historical Sketch

Before the jails came into existence, the convicts were discri-
niinated on the basis of caste. The low caste prisoners were sometimes
chained up like dogs in the open plains while others were confined in
the Kotwali or police lock-up, where they occasiona'ly received a small
ration of food from the State, but more frequently, survived on public
or private chanty. Though pitiable it was not an unusual sight
to see^ scores of them parading in the streets under police escort and
receiving alms from the inhabitants. Better class of prisoners such as
thakurs and Rajputs, were kept in the fort in a place called Netasar,
ere t ough space was limited and sanitary conveniences scanty,
adequate food was provided. No labour of any kind was exacted
trom them Prisoners in the districts remained entirely at the mercy
ot the havUdar of the parganah or the thakurs.

intPnrtJ.? ®"^'osure known as Dharmpura, and originally

a nnso converted into '

couol of 7 scventy.five inmates by erecting a

given some P^^on^rs were fairly fed and clad and

'' much o ' for. but there

^s much over-crowding m the jail and the building had to be

untiMh’ 1S79-80 and then continuously between 1887 and 1895,

females) ThrinTr'”'' 33

two^cirs later ’ ^ Natesar were transferred to it

kitchens I f included barracks, bathing places

'•“-’on.s.'a hespifa S
-"d additions when

which formeJL fornL^'Il^ The aforesaid building

Bikaner. ^ Central Jail now houses the District Jail,

Law And Order And Justice

301

In the districts, besides the usual lock-ups {havalats) at the head
quarters of each tahsildar and naib-tabsildar, two larger prisons, one
at Reni and the other at Sujangarh were established, accommodating
86 and 66 inmates respectively. These were intended for lodging
convicts who were sentenced to imprisonment for one year or less.
The local Nazims were responsible for the management of these jails
and proper care of prisoners. They were, however, inspected from time
to time by the Civil Surgeon.

The most prominent land mark in the history of prison reforms
was the enactment of Prison Act in 1927. This provided for the
segregation of adolescent prisoners from those of advanced age, and
their subsequent training. It empowered all Sessions Judges,
Additional Sessions Judges and Magistrates of the First Class to pass
orders detaining youthful prisoners in Borstal Institutions for a
minimum term of two years, instead of sentencing them to imprisonment
in the normal course. It further empowered the District Magistrates
and the Appellate Courts to substitute detention in a Borstal Institution
for imprisonment for a minimum term of two years. It also empowered
the District Magistrates on the application of a Superintendent of a
Jail, to order the removal of a youth, sentenced to transporation or
rigorous imprisonment, to a Borstal Institution to serve the whole or
any part of the unexpired portion of his sentence.

Jail Administration before merger

The administration of the Central Jail, Bikaner along with the
four district jails in the State, was controlled by the Inspector-
General of Prisons who was directly responsible to the Home Depart-
ment of the State. The Superintendent of Central Jail, Bikaner was
responsible for the efficient management and proper care of prisoners
in accordance with the Bikaner Prisons Act, 1927.

Present Set-up

The Bikaner Jail which hitherto was the Central Jail of the area
was converted into an A Class District Jail with effect from October
1952 as a result of integration of the -State. Tlicre is no other jail or
sub -jail in the district because the judicial courts are mostly located in
Bikaner city. The District Jail has an authorised accommodation for
250 prisoners, and is staffed by a Superintendent, a Jailor, Dupty
Jailor, three Assistant Jailors, a Chief Head Warden, a Drill Instructor,
eight Head W.irdens, sixtv-cisht Wardens and ten Reserves Guards.

302

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Prison Discipline

Discipline is maintained in accordance with the Jail Regulations.
The prisoners are housed together according to sex and only hardened
ones are kept in solitary cells. Separate arrangement for housing
juvenile prisoners below the age of 21 years exists but they are trans-
ferred to Model Jails at Ajmer and Uda:ipur. The special class of
prisoners including political detenues are governed by the rules and
orders of the Government according to their classification.

Welfare of Prisoners

In the erstwhile Bikaner State, the Central Jail, Bikaner (now
District Jail) was described as one of the best managed and most
sanitary in India. Prisoners grew their own vegetables in the garden
attached to the Jail. The Jail Dispensary was established in 1887 with
one medical officer and two compounders. There is a library in the prison
from which books are supplied to the convicts on request. Facilities are
extended to conVicts who want to purchase books on religion and ethics
at their own cost. Visits of relatives are restrie(ed to once in a month.
The Government has appointed a Board of Visitors who periodi-
cally visit the prison, and bring complaints to the notice of the
authorities. Jail Panchayat, with eight panchas and a Sarpanch from
amongst prisoners was established with a view to assisting the autho-
rities in the management of the Jail, improving the habits of prisoners,
making them feel more responsible and infusing discipline amongst
them. The convict teacher imparts instruction to the inmates. All
these activities are now looked after by a Prison Welfare Officer, from
the social welfare department, and are a great help in promoting their
well being.

Jail Industry

The principal jail industries arc the weaving of cloth, rugs,
camel and horse girths, woollen shawls (loia), blankets and carpets.
Bikaner Jail carpets have earned a name in India and abroad for their
fine texture and design and have been exported even to Europe and
America. The Jail exhibits at the Francc-British Exhibition held in
Paris in 1908 attracted considerable attention of the visitors. Three of
the jail carpets were awarded the Grand Prix Diploma of Honour with
Silver medals. The staff consists only of an Assistant Factory Manager,
(l weaving master, a dyer, a clipper and a skilled work^f,

Law And Order And Justice

303

JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION

Historical background of the Judicial System

The history of Judicial system is the distr^eJniJi^fh^'lii^tbry,/of,
judiciary of the erstwhile State of B!kaner.j^f,t|pto^rr|j0^crT~^i^no
organised system of judicial administrationVitj tire'^Sf^e. Justice ' ^vas
synonymous with the will of the Rulers/^-^and J^girdtirs were, permitted
to exercise similar powers within their fpspectjvlj jagir ardaV.''-’ Till the
latter part of Maharaja Sardar Singh’s 8 5 r->&),.._ad ministration

of justice was very loose. The Ruler never 'ear’ea.Tto.checle' his favourites
from interfering in both Civil and Criminal cases’. • Every crime, even
murder, was pardoned on payment of 6ne, and every person arrested,
whether, guilty or not, was severely fined before he was released, fn
the district people were at the mercy of Havildars against whom it was
not possible to get redress.i

In 1871 three Courts (Civil, Criminal and Revenue) were esta-
blished at Bikaner but they were not supported by the Maharaja who
continued ^to permit interference by bis favourites. No attempt to
inflict a really deterrent punishment could be made till 1878,2

The Central Civil and Criminal Courts, however, were abolished
in 1864-85 and replaced by Nizamat courts at Bikaner, Reni, Sojangarh
and Suratgarh. Appeals against their decisions were allowed to the
Ijlas Khas or the Court of the Maharaja. It was after Maharaja
Dungar Singh's death that an Appellate Court, presided over by the
judges, was constituted. The Regency Council became the court of
final appeal, taking the place of the old Jjlas Khas.

The hierarchy of judicial courts established by Regency during
the minority of Maharaja Ganga Singh, consisted at the lowest rung,
the courts of the eight naib-tahsildats who were third class magistrates
and _^could try civil suits not exceeding Rs. 300 in value. Next higher

1 . Report an the Political Administration of Rajapiitina State, 1 S77-78.

2. Major K. D. Ersfcinc— “Even aficr Sardar Singh’s densise, no improvement
was noticeable and until 1878 the returns of the criminal courts showed a deter-
mination to make profit out of crime rather Uion an honest desire to inflict a
realty dcteiTcnt punishmenl”.

U'fxtern RajpisliirM States, Residcrcy end the Bit.ar.er Ayer.cy Ciaccitcer, Vol,
m-A,p.35S.

304

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

up the ladder came the eleven Tahsildars who were second class magis-
trates and could hear civil suits upto Rs. 500. The four nazims
constituted the next stage and they were empowered to hear appeals
against the decision in civil and criminal cases of the lower courts.
They possessed first class magisterial powers and on civil side, exercised
original jurisdiction in suits not exceeding Rs. 10,000 in value. The
Appellate Court next, step in the hierarchy, was empowered to dispose of
all appeals against the orders or findings of the nazims, tried all civil
suits beyond their powers, and on the criminal side, could pass a
sentence of ten years’ imprisonment. The council was the highest
court of appeal and exercised powers of revision in certain cases. It
dealt with all murder cases submitting them with its opinion to the
Maharaja, who alone could pass death sentence-. The courts of
honorary magistrates also existed, at Bikaner the capital, and the towns
of Churu and Nohar, and had powers to hear and decide petty civil
suits relating to immovable property, but the Bikaner Court alone had
magisterial powers of the second class. On the civil side there was the
Munsif’s Court at Bikaner with powers to try suits not exceeding
Rs. 500 in value. These courts were generally guided by the statutes
iri force in British India. The provisions of the Indian Penal Code,
the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Evidence Act were introduced
in the State mutatis mutandis in 1897. Among local laws may be
mentioned the Civil Procedure Code of 1884, the Small Cause Courts
Act, and the Gambling Act of 1889; the Registration Act of 1893; the
Limitation Act of 1893; and the Stamp and Court Fees Act of 1900.
These acts were later replaced by the Bikaner State Registration Act
1916, the Bikaner Stale Code of Civil Procedure 1920, the Bikaner
State Limitation Act 1920, the Bikaner Public Gambling Act 1923 and
the Bikaner Specific Relief Act 1923.

The system of judicial administration organised by Sir Charles
Bayley during the minority of Maharaja Ganga Singh continued upto
1910. In 1910, a Chief Court at Bikaner was established and all the
powers of the Council were transferred to it. It was superseded by a
High Court at Bikaner on May 3, 1922. The High Court was the
highest court of appeal and could exercise original jurisdiction in both
Civil and Criminal cases of every description. The decision of the High
Court was final in Civil cases except where the value of the suit exceeded
Rs. 10,000 or a substantial question of law, custom or usage was
involved. In criminal cases an appeal against the decision of the High

Law And Order And Justice

305

Court could be made to the Maharaja provided that sentence of death
or imprisonment for period of ten years or more was awarded by tne
High Court. Sentences of death were subject to the confirmation of the
Maharaja. In 1930, the Civil Courts Act envisaged the re-organisation
of the courts of the District Judges and Munsifs. It empowered the
courts of Munsifs to decide suits the value of which did not exceed one
thousand rupees. The District Judges were empowered to tabe cogni-
zance of all suits the value of which did not exceed ten thousand rupees.
However, the Civil Courts were not empowered to try suits relating to
the title, the rule of descent, succession and adoption of pattedars and
their disputes with the State.

The Courts of Additional District Judge Sadar and of Honorary
Munsif at Sadar were replaced by courts of City Magistrate and of
second Murisif at Sadar. The Senior Munsif, Sadar was vested with
powers of Small Cause Courts upto Rs. 100. All the Munsifs and the
City Magistrates were vested with the powers of the First Class Magis-
trate and the City Magistrate was further empowered to try summarily
cases under the Municipal Act and bye-laws.

Nazims, however, continued to exercise their power to try non-
cognizablc cases on complaints and challans under Section 107, 108,
109 and 110 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The tahsildars in
the Sadar division, except the tahsildars of Sadar, were empowered to
try criminal cases both cognizable and non-cognizable, and the
Tahsildars at Lutikaransar, Nohar and Anapgarh continued to try
civil suits up to the value of Rs. 2C0.

Thus, besides the High Court, exercising original appellate and
Tcvisional jurisdiction in all civil and criminal cases for the whole of
the former State of Bikaner, the district administration of justice was
carried on by the courts of District Judge, Sadar; Munsif and Addi-
tional Munsif, Sadar; City Magistrate, Bikaner, whose powers have
already been dealt with in the foregone pages.

After the formation of the State of Rfijasthan, uniform pattern
of judicial administration was adopted. The High Court of Judicature
for the State of Rajasthan was established on June 21, 1949, abolishing
simultaneously the High Court at Bikaner which was reduced to the
statiis of a High Court Bench and wa.s finally abolished with effect
from the 27nd day of May, 1950. The subordinate courts were

306

Rajasthan District Gazetteers -Bikaner

re-organised by establishment of a hierarchy of criminal and civil courts
in accordance with the provisions of the Rajasthan Code of Criminal
Procedure Ordinance, 1949 and Civil Courts Ordinance, 1950. The
reorganised set-up of the administration of justice in the district was
headed by the District and Sessions Judge with headquarters at Bikaner.
On the criminal side, the subordinate courts included those of an
Assistant Sessions Judge; Additional Munsif Magistrate, Bikaner;
District Magistrate; Sub-Divisional Magistrate for North and South
Sub-Divisions with headqviarters at Bikaner, and City Magistrate
Bikaner. Tahsildars and Naib-tahsildars were invested with the powers
of Second Class and Third Class Magistrates respectively. On the Civil
side, the subordinate Courts established were those of an Assistant
Civil Judge, Bikaner and Munsif Bikaner.

As no uniform system of Civil and Criminal laws existed in the
United State of Rajasthan, the various laws enacted by the Government
of India were adopted for the guidance of these courts. As such the
provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Indian
Evidence Act, Civil Procedure Code, Stamp and Courts Fees Act and
Limitation Act, were made applicable.

A significant change in the judicial administration was effected
when as a result of recommendations of Ranawat Committee the
executive officers were deprived of their powers to try cases under the
Indian Penal Code in 1962, and Munsifs were invested with the powers
First Class Magistrates.

Present Position

The District and Sessions Judge is the prinicipal Civil and
Criminal Court in the district and the Nyaya Pancliayats form the
lowest rung of the ladder. The table showing the civil and criminal
jurisdiction of the various courts is given below :

Name of the Court

Place of Territorial
sitting jurisdiction

1 .

2 .

District & Sessions Judge, Bikaner

Civil & Assistant Sessions Judge,
Bikaner

Munsif & Magistrate I Class, Bikaner

Additional Munsif & Magistrate
1 Class

Bikaner Bikaner District

Bikaner

Nyaya Pancliayats

Bikaner District
Bikaner District

Bikaner Bikaner District

(Details available in Chapter XIV)

Law And Order And Justice

307

Besides, the Collector and the Sub-Divisional Officers at Bikaner
are Ex-officio District and Sub- Divisional Magistrates. They enforce
the administrative provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code and also
dispose of revenue matters and offences committed under various acts
excluding the Indian Penal Code.

The following table shows the working of the judicial set-up in
19661 ;

Name of the Court No. of No. of Total Disposed Balance

cases cases of

pending insti-
tuted

CRIMINAL

Sessions Courts, Bikaner

1. Sessions Trials

2. Criminal Appeals

112

126

3. Criminal Revisions

Asstt. Sessions Judge, Bikaner

1. Session’s Trials

Munsif & Magistrate First Class,

Bikaner

1. Criminal Original

113

137

Additional Munsif & Magistrate,

Bikaner

1. Criminal Original 350

CIVIL

767

1117

664

453

District Judge’s Court, Bikaner

1. Civil Original

2. Civil Appeal (Reg.)

122

215

144

3. Civil Appeal (Misc.)

Civil Judge’s Court, Bikaner

L Civil Original

158

101

2. Civil Appeal (Reg.)

3. Civil Appeal (Misc.)

—

Munsif Court. Bikaner

1. Civil Original

313

392

705

357

348

2. Execution

415

291

706

407

299

1. Source : OOicc ef the Dktrlc! and Judge, Bit;ancr,

308

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

LEGAL PROFESSION

Mukhtars Maqbula were the only legal practitioners in the
former State of Bikaner till the enactment of Legal Practitioners Act,
1925. Since then the enrolment of legal practitioners was restricted to
law-graduates and those who qualified themselves as Vakils. The Act
debarred the unqualified practitioners from practising in law courts
unless and until they qualified themselves as Vakils. The number of
lawyers in 1947 was 182 in the erstwhile Bikaner State. According to
1951 Census the number of persons in legal profession in the district
was 92 (including pleaders, clerks of lawyers and petition writers). In
1961 the number increased to 148 (146 males and two females).

Bar Association

Bar Association, Bikaner was established in 1928. It is still the
only association in the district as the various courts of law are located
in the city. The association has its own President who nominates the
Executive and the Speaker who presides over the general meetings.
Both the President and the Speaker are elected by the members. The
local number of members is 120,

Law And Order And Justice

309

Appendix

List ot Police Stations and ont-posts (Circlewise), Bikaner

Names of Circles

Names of Police

Names of out-posts

Stations

Circle Office City

(1) Kotwali

1 . Sadar

2. Sitla Gate

3. Goga Gate

4. Bazar

5. Kote Gate

6. Phatak

(2) Nayashahr

1. Nathusar Gate

2. Jassusar Gate

3. Teliwara

4. Sale Ki Holi

(3) Sadar

1. Civil

2. Hanoman Hata

3. Gangashahr

II.

Circle Office North

(1) Lnnkaransar

1. Shaikhsar

2. Kelan

(2) Mahajan

(3) Napiisar

1. Raner

(4) Deshnoke

(5) Jamsar

(6) Bajju

1. Ranjitpura

2. Barsalpur

(7) Pugal

1. Sattfisar

2. Lunkha

3. Kumharwali

III.

Circle Office South

(I) Naukha

1. Jasrasar

2. Ranch QU

(2) Diyatrii

(3) Gajner

1. Kolayat

I . $oarce : OfHct of tbs Sopcrinlendent of, Police, Bikaner,

CHAPTER XIII

OTHER DEPARTMENTS

STATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

Office of fhc Colonisation Commissioner

With a view to implementing the Colonisation Programme of the
area to be covered by Bhakhra and Rajasthan Canal Projects, this
Department was established in May, 1955. In the beginning, a
skeleton staff was provided for the department but with the increased
work load due to acceleration in the construction programme, the staff
was strengthened from time to time. At the head of this organisation
is the Colonisation Commissioner who is responsible for implementing
colonisation policy and for co-ordinating the planning and execution of
development programmes in the canal area. He is assisted by Deputy
Colonisation Commissioners who supervise all field operations and are
directly responsible to the Commissioner. The work in the field has
been divided in four sections each headed by an Assistant Colonisation
Commissioner dealing with :

(1) Survey, (2) Land Acquisition, (3) Consolidation and
(4) Colonisation (allotment). To assist them, there are fifteen Tahsil-
dars and 30 Naib Tahsildars. In addition to these at the Head*
quarters there are one Accounts Officer; one Statistician; one Extra
Assistant Commissioner Writs; one Extra Assistant Commissioner
Administration and one Tahsildar Rehabilitation.

Office of the Superintending Engineer, Rrijasthlin Canal Project,
Investigation Circle.

This Circle was established in July, 1964, under the charge of a
Superintending Engineer for investigation and survey of Rajasthan
Canal area for a particular length of the Canal,

The work has been divided in four parts and the following
separate offices have been established in Bikaner for administrative
convenience :

(1) Second Stage Investigation Division— This division is
assigned with the work of survey and investigation of II Stage of
Bfijasthan Mpin Canal below mile (o the tail. It is headed by

Other t)cpartmeats

3ll

an Executive Engineer who is assisted by four Assistant Engineers and
usual complement of staff.

(2) Chhattargarh Division— An Executive Engineer has been
made incharge of this division who is responsible for the construction of
a colony at Chhattargarh and- survey of main canal from mile 95 to
121,8. The division is further split up into three sub-divisions, each of
which is controlled by an Assistant Engineer. The headquarters of the
office of the Executive Engineer is located at Chhattargarh in the
district.

(3) Office of the Senior GEOLOOiST-'This office is controlled
by a Senior Geologist and situated at Bikaner. Its primary function is
to investigate the quality of the material used for contruction of the
canal including location of sites for kilns.

(4) Lift Channel Investigation Division — This division along
with its four sub-divisions functioned till the end of 1965 and has since
been abolished. A Lift Irrigation Scheme to irrigate areas around
Lankaransar, Bikaner and Nagaur was prepared by this division and
the same has been submitted to the Government for sanction.

Town Planning Department

Office of the Depute Town Planner Bikaner— This office is
entrusted with the task of preparing a regional plan for Rajasthan
Canal regions and master plans and town planning schemes of various
towns falling in the districts of Bikaner. Ganganagar, Churu and
Jaisalmcr. Time to time technical advice is also rendered to the
municipalities and improvement trusts of the above mentioned districts.

Public Works Department

Office of the Additional Chief Engineer (Projects)— The
office was established in August 1965 with a view to gear up the road
Programme. The area has been split up into Uvo circles each of which
is headed by a Superintending Engineer, known as Superintending
Engineer-East, and Superintending Engineer- West. They arc assisted
by Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers and other technical staff.
Besides the Superintending Engineer, there are one Technical Assistant
to Additional Chief Engineer, two Technical Assistants to Superintend-
ing Cngir.ecis, one Head Draftsman, one Junior Draftsman and other
office staff. Since November 1967, the Headquarters of the Additional

312

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Chief Engineer, P.W.D. Project, Bikaner and his Technical Assistant has
been shifted to Jodhpur. The other subordinate offices are functioning
as in the past.

Office of the Superintending Engineer(buildings and roads)—
The work of the Public Works Department in Bikaner, divisipn is
looked after by a Superintending Engineer. He exercises administrative
and technical control over the working of the Executive Engineers
working within his jurisdiction. His staff consists of a Technical
Assistant, two Computers, one Head Draftsman, one Junior Draftsman,
one Tracer, one Office Superintendent and other office staff. Besides,
a Land Acquisition Officer is also posted in the Public Works Depart-
ment who acquires land required for the Public Works. He is assisted
by an Assistant Land Acquisition Officer and a small office staff.

Office of the Executive Engineer (City Division)— Apart from
the road repair and building programme, the main functions with
which the Executive Engineer, City Division is entrusted are the repair
and maintenance of Government buildings and construction of new
ones. Recently, 6 ‘E’ type quarters. and 10 ‘E’ type quarters have been
constructed in Bikaner city in addition to the construction of 20 miles
of road. The strength of the staff consijts of four Assistant Engineers,
16 Overseers, two Computers, one Senior Draftsman, one Tracer and
necessary complement of office staff.

Rajasibun State Electricity Board

Office OF the Superintending Engineer, Bikaner Circle—
Bikaner is the headquarters of a Superintending Engineer who looks
after the whole of the Bikaner circle comprising of Bikaner, Churu, Sri
Gangfmagar, Jhnnjhunu, Sikar and part of Nagaur district. He is
responsible for control, operation, maintenance and construction of
Works connected with the supply of electricity. He is assisted by a
Technical Assistant, Draftsman, a Tracer, Statistical Assistant and
necessary complement of office staff There is an Accounts Section and a
Labour Officer working under him. The Accounts Section consists of an
Accounts Officer assisted by an Assistant Accounts Officer and other
office staff. The Labour Officer with the usual complement of staff is
also posted to look after the welfare of the Labourers who also helps the ,
administration in settling their disputes. Besides the above, he is the
administrative Head of metre testing laboratory headed by the Assistant
Engineer and circle stores headed by the Assistant Controller of Stores,

Other Departments

Office of the Executive Engineer — He is responsible for supply
and distribution, within the district, of hydro-electric power received
from Bhakha system. For construction work and laying of new lines,
a separate Executive Engineer is posted here. The work of maintenance
and distribution has been split up in three sub-divisions viz., (i) Gene-
ration and workshop, (ii) Grid sub-Station and (iii) Distribution, each
of which is supervised by an Assistant Engineer.

Archives Department

This department with its headquarters at Bikaner, is headed by
a Director. Prior to the formation of Rajasthan, each princely State
had its own system of preserving records but a majority of them did not
adopt any scientific system for doing so. After the formation of
Rajasthan, the Department of Archives was established in 1955-56, with
headquarters at Jaipur, having twenty archival repositories scattered
all over Rajasthun. Later, however, it was felt that this arrangement
meant a huge expenditure over the staff and avoidable inconvenience to
research scholars. Accordingly, archives were centralised and the
headquarters of the department were shifted to Bikaner in August,
1960, where a suitable building was made available.

The Director is assisted by an Assistant Director. Other staff
consists of two Archivists, one Chemist, one Research Officer, one
Assistant Archivists, one Assistant Chemist, two Research Scholars, one
Librarian, one Office Superintendent, two Research Assistants, one
Photographer, two Senior Technical Assistants, two Junior Technical
Assistants, one Assistant Librarian; three Record Assistants, four
Investigators, three Record Attendants, twelve Decipherists, four
Preservation Assistants, four Laboratory Assistants and other office
staff. The work of the department has been divided in six sections
viz., (1) Administrative Wing, (2) Acquisition, Arrangement and Supply
Service Wing, (3) Reference Wing, (4) Repairs and Rehabilitation wing,
(5) Publication Wing and (6) Weeding Wing. Each wing is headed by
an Officer-incharge of the rank of a Superintendent.

Under the centralised pattern, there is a provision for five Inter-
mediary Rcpo.sitions at AHvar, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Kota.
The .MafT allotted to each is u.d.c., l.d.c. and peon.

The micro filming section is an important working wing of
the Rujasthrm State Archives. The section is equipped with a micro

314

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Blkaher

film machine and a Micro film Reader. The establishment of this wing
is expected to serve a great cause to the benefit of the Research Scholars.

Excise Department

Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Excise — This office controls
Bikaner, Ganganagar and Churu districts and exercises control over the
District Excise Officers in its region. Eaeh Excise Officer is assisted by
one Assistant Excise Officer and other office staff. However, this office
has now been abolished with effect from 1.7.1967.

Office of the District Excise Officer' — The main function of
this office is collection of excise duties levied on various items by the
Government of Rajasthan, In this work, the District Excise Officer is
assisted by six Circle Inspectors and one Excise Inspector. Besides, there
are two Prosecuting Inspectors on the staff, who represent the depart-
ment m cases under the Excise Act against defaulters in the courts.

Taxation Department

Office OF THE Deputy Commissioner (appeals)— Commercial
Taxes — The office of the Deputy Commissioner was established in July,
1966. He hears appeals against the orders of assessment passed by
Commercial Taxes Officers. His jurisdiction extends to five districts
viz., Bikaner, Ganganagar, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu.

Office of the Commercial Taxes Officer— The Commercial
Taxes Officer collects taxes and duties prescribed under the Sales Tax
Act, Passengers and Goods Tax Act, Entertainment Tax Act and the
Electricity Duty. The Commercial Taxes Officer is assisted by three
Assistant Commercial Taxes Officers. For purposes of collection of
sales tax, Bikaner district is divided in two wards, viz., A and B. One
Assistant Commercial Taxes Officer is incharge of each ward. Besides,
there is one Assistant Commercial Taxes Officer for realisation of
Passenger and Goods Taxes (RPGT). For survey, enquiries and other
field-work, the Commercial Taxes Officer and Assistant Commercial
Taxes Officers are assisted by five Commercial Taxes Inspectors, A
separate post of Assistant Commercial Taxes Officer (Appeal) has also
been created with effect from April 1967 to assist the Commercial Taxes
Officer to plead the cases before the Dy. Commissioner (Appeals)
headquartered at Bikaner since July, 1966. The office is manned with
necessary complement of ministerial and class IV employees.

Other Departments

315

Waterworks

Drinking Water Supply Schemes of Bikaner city as well as of
other towns and villages are administered by the Executive Engineer,
Waterworks with headquarters at BIkener. To assist him there are
three Assistant Engineers who look after the pumping stations
and also help in laying out new pipe lines and other construction
work. They are assisted by a small complement of office staff. At
present, the water-supply schemes are functioning at Bikaner, GangH-
nagar, Bhinasar, Deshnoke, Naukha, Kabra, Barsisar, Rasisar, Udasar,
Surpura, Kalu, Sintal, Napasar, 'Panchon, Ltinkaransar, Jasrasar,
Sarunda and Berasar, Udairamsar, Lelamdcsar, Mahajan, Kanolai,
Ramsar and Sekhsar,

Office of the Assistant Mining Engineer— A Sub-Divisional
Office of the Mines and Geology Department having jurisdiction over
the districts of Bikaner, Gangangar and Churu is located here. It is
headed by an Assistant Mining Engineer. Its main work comprises
grants of mineral concessions, inspection of quarries and mines,
Technical advice to various lesees, preparation of technical reports on
the potentialities of mineral based industry, survey and investigation
of mineral deposits. There is a separate drilling unit carrying drilling
activities in the vicinity of Palana for proving lignite deposit as to its
extent, size and reserves etc. Drilling has been completed at Ravneri and
Hira-ki-Dhani. The technical operations arc supervised by a Deputy
Drilling Engineer assisted by a Geologist,

The Assistant Mining Engineer is assisted by one Senior Mining
Foreman, one Field Assistant, one Draftsman and a few clerks.

Office of the Inspector of Factories and Boilers— The
jurisdiction of this office extends to two districts viz., Bikaner and
Nagaur and is charged with the duty to sec that the provisions of the
Factories Act, Payment of Wages Act, Indian Boilers Act, Employment
of Children .Act and Maternity Benefit Act alongwifh the Rules
thereunder, are implemented and enforced properly.

Labour Department

Office of the Labour Officer— To implement the Labour laws
in the factories covered under the Factories Act, one Labour Officer is
posted in Bikaner, To assist him, there arc two Labour Inspectors and
a few clerks and peons.

316

Rajasthan District Gazetteers~Bikancr

Employment Exchange — In the beginning, employment exchan-
ges v\ere started with a view to rehabilitating the disbanded soldiers
a ter the Second World War, but in recent years, the agency has been
uti ised more or less, as a clearing house between the job-seekers and the
employers. In Bikaner, the office was set up in the year 1946. It is at
present headed by an Employment Officer who is assisted by a Junior

mployment Officer. The other staff consists of one Guide and a few
clerks and peons.

Office of the Principal, Industrial Training Institute— The
Institute was established in the year 1959 under the Director General of
^ mployment & Training, New Delhi but for administrative convenience, it
IS under ^e control of Department of Labour, Government of Rajasthan
t e erector of Technical Educatioi). The Institute is headed by a
I'rincipal who is assisted by one Group Instructor, two Senior Instruc-
tors and 13 Junior Instructors. His office staff consists of a few clerks.

At present, training is imparled to Turner, Moulder, Fitter,
wectncian, Draughtsman. Carpenter. Blacksmith. Welder and
mreman. The duration of training for Draughtsman. Fitter,
Electrician, Turner and Wireman is two years while for Moulder,

\ Welder, the duration of training is one

year. The total intake capacity of the institute is 196.

Training Centre—

With a view to acquaint and train the non-official members and others of

wa, stotr's “ Training Centre headed by a Principal,

Z n 1«»-The Principal is asaiatcd by

PanchavaiT'",- 'rawing is imparted to members of

Lehavats and r “"f Cbnitmen and Members of Nyaya

i^anchayats and Secretaries of Panchayats. ^ ^

Co-operative Department

Bikaner ic th Registrar, Co-operative Societies —

ikaner is the seat of the Divisional Office beaded bv'Dcputv Registrar

aS« 7 7” administ,atlvV?„Zol o be

Auditor, a Technical .Assistant, besides clerks and peons.

There uSZ ZZarr; f ‘°T“- Soctnrtns-

?>n Assistant Registrar who i? incharge of the execution

Other Departments

317

of all schemes of organising co-operative societies and promulgation of
co-operative movement in the district.

Animal Husbandry Department

A divisional office of the Deputy Director is located at Bikaner
which looks after the work of both the Bikaner and Jodhpur Divisions.
At the district level, there are District Animal Husbandry Officers who
are responsible for execution of development schemes in animal hus-
bandry, but in Bikaner, there is no District Animal Husbandry
Officer and the work of Bikaner district is looked after by the District
Animal Husbandry Officer, Churu The main activities of the District
Animal Husbandry Officers -are to maintain veterinary hospitals,
castration of scrub mate cattle and prevention of cattle disease vn
villages by inoculations and vaccinations. Animal Husbandry Extension
Officers of the department arc posted in each of Panchayat Samiti to
attend to the activities of the department.

District Statistical Office

This office is engaged in collecting economic and statistical data
concerning a wide variety of subjects relating to Bikaner district. A
statistical booklet and an Annual Plan Progress Report is also brought
out every year. Field studies relating to socio-economic aspects are
also undertaken by the District Office. Besides, the data is also trans-
mitted to the head office at Jaipur where it is processed and incorporat-
ed in various publications. This office also caters to the demand of
District Administration, State Govt., Labour Bureau, National Sample
Survey Organisation of the Union Cabinet Secretariat and other depart-
ments. At the district level, the office is headed by a District Statis-
tician. The other members of the staff arc one District Statistical
Assistant, one Statistical Supervisor, two Field Inspectors, one Computer,
one L.D.c. and one peon.

Devasthan

An Inspector supervises the work of this department at the
district level. He is responsible for disbursement of grants and charities
to the various religious institutions taken over by the State Government
for management, and to others. The Inspector is assisted by a small
complement of office strdT,

Pnblic Relations Office

Giving publicity to the Government policies and dcvelopmciil

3I8

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

schemes is the main object of the Public Relations Officer in the
district. For this purpose various modes of publicity like organising
film shows, opening information centres, education through audio-
visual means conducting publicity campaigns for special programmes
viz , National Savings, Family Planning etc. are adopted. He is assisted
by an Assistant Public Relations Officer, two Operators, one Enquiry
Assistant and a few clerks and class IV employees There is an infor-
mation centre under the Public Relations Office. This centre serves the
people through a reference reading room and reference library. There
is information desk in the information centre from where all sorts of
information is given. The information centre also relays the news of
the All India Radio to about 30 places in the city. The centre also
announces local news bulletin from time to time

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS
National Savings Organisation

Prior to the merger of erstwhile State of Bikaner, a scheme known
as Small Savings Scheme was in vogue which was supervised by a
National Savings Adviser, and National Savings Certificates were issued
tinder this Scheme, After re-organisation, the set-up was changed and
Regional Directors were posted in States. Bikaner was made a seat of
Divisional Office headed by an Assistant Regional Director looking
after the work of Bikaner, Ganganagar, Churu and Nagaur districts.
Directly subordinate to him are the District Organisers appointed a
the district level, who are responsible for organising savings campaign
in their respective areas.

The important schemes sponsored by the organisation are :
(i) National Savings Certificates (ii) Twelve Years National Defence
Certificates, (iii) Ten Years’ Defence Deposit Certificates, (iv) Fifteen
Years’ Annuity Certificates, (v) Cummulative Time Deposit Scheme,
(vi) Five Year's Fixed Deposit Scheme, (vii) Public Provident Fund
Scheme, and (viii) Pay Roll Savings Scheme.

Customs Office

The main duty of the Customs Office located at Bikaner is to
prevent smuggling from Pakistan, as it is a border district. A Superin-
tendent of Customs is posted at Bikaner and the other staff consists of
two Inspectors, two Sub-Inspectors, a few Sepoys and camel sowars. An
Inspector is also stationed at Pogal. The staff also keeps liaison with
border security force post on the border of the di-Strict and the district

Other Departments

319

police thus co-ordinating their activities with them. Besides, the custom
organisation also keeps a watch over the smuggled goods which have
found their way from places other than Indo-Pak border.

Labour Enforcement Office

The staff in this office consists of one Labour Enforcement
Officer who is mainly responsible for the enforcement of ail central
labour enactments in the undertakings falling under central jurisdiction,
and to look after the welfare of the employees therein.

Field Publicity Office

Controlled by the Directorate of Field Publicity, Ministry of
Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, the unit stationed
at Bikaner is one of eleven such units in Rajasthan. Its jurisdiction
extends over Jhunjhunu and Nagaur districts besides Bikaner. The
staff consists of a Field Publicity Officer, a Project Operator, a clerk,
a driver and a few class IV employees.

The unit is entrusted with two broad functions; firstly, to provide
information, education and entertainment to the people through all
avai'ablc media of mass communications like film^ ^sjhpy/s. cultural
programmes, folk songs and dances, public ra8etI^,^:group disclissions,
seminars, symposia, puppet shows, drapT:]heier^^^d-^sef5if31y,^ig;a^fi,‘ie^
the Government of the reaction ofJl«j^j3bf{c%_^-the-'pnlic[cSj,_a'i|d^
programmes adopted by it. At 'mpjtrasis is bcjfig given

to the organisation of intensive ^jiblic'ity.-xampaig^ny^bf Footf Produc-
tion, Family Planning, National^r^Bavin^^Deve^pmcntar.. Works and
National Integration and Solidarlij?^ (iSefence oriented) in rural and
border areas.

^ ^ #

Chemical Laboratory— Fertiliser Corporation of India

A small Chemical Laboratory has been functioning at Bikaner
for the analysis of gypsum samples under the direct control of the Chief
Mining Engineer stationed at Jodhpur. Two gypsum mines viz., Kaoni
and Bharru arc being worked by the Corporation and gypsum produced
is loaded from Nal Railway Station.

Office of the Locust Entomologist

A field station for investigations on locusts beaded by a locusts
entomologist was established at Bikaner in March, 1957. The main
duties arc to conduct invcsiig.itions on the various aspects of desert
locust biology and ecology in the field, with a view to acquiring infor-
mation on its incidence, habits and behaviour in relation to its environ-
ments; and on improving methods for its control. In this work the

320

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

entomologist is assisted by a Deputy Locust Entomologist, five Technical
Officers and five Junior Technical Assistants with the usual complement
of ministerial staff and class IV servants.

Office of the Marketing Officer, Wool, Bristles and
Goat Hair Giading Scheme

This office is responsible for inspection of wool, bristles and goat
hair commodities exported from here and also to conduct market
surveys for improvement in agricultural marketing. The Marketing
Officer is helped by an Assistant Marketing Officer.

Office of the Sub-Divisional Officer, Telegraphs

An office of the Sub- Divisional Officer is stationed at Bikaner
for supervising the working ofthe Telephone Exchanges and Telegraphs
Offices within the area. His staff consists of a Construction Officer,
Engineering Supervisor Telephones, Engineering Supervisor-Telegraphs,
Observation Officer and other technical staff like Operators, Lines-
men etc.

Divisional Superintendent, Northern Railway

Prior to merger, Bikaner had its own Railway system. After the
integration with the Indian Railways it was amalgamated with the
Northern Railways. The set-up of the Railways was re-organised in
1952 when a division of Northern Railways was established at Bikaner,
The Divisional Superintendent is the head of the division. The work
of Railways is divided into ten sections known as Engineering Branch,
Mechanical Branch, Commercial Branch, Medical Branch, Electrical
Branch, Signal and Teic-communicalions Branch, Security Branch,
Accounts Branch, Personnel Branch and Transporation Branch. At
Lalgarh in Bikaner district, a Loco shed is maintained to keep the
locomotives in the working order.

(!:hapter xiV

LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT

HISTORY

Though there were small committees and boards in the erstwhile
Bikaner State in the beginning of the first decade of the twentieth
century, there were no municipal committees in the true sense of the
term. The most important municipal committee was at Bikaner, the
capital of the State. It was established in 1889, prior to which sanitary
arrangements were supi-rvised by either Kotwal or one of the Hospital
Assistants or a special officer. These Committees were mainly respon-
sible for conservancy and lighting arrangements, prevention of encroa-
chments on public thoroughfares, settlement of petty disputes relating
to easements, and the establishment and control of slaughter-houses
and markets. In 191 7 the then State Government sanctioned more
powers to the Municipalities : they were given practically independent
control over finances and were authorised to raise necessary funds by
such taxation as was sanctioned by the Government from time to time;
the number of non-official members was also increased.

With a view to placing the municipal administration on a
footing more in conformity 'with modern ideals and requirements,
Bikaner Municipal Act was passed in July 1923. The year 1923 was
memorable in the history of the Muncipal administration in the State
because elective system was introduced in the State for the first time.
However, the elections were held in 1925. The Act contemplated the
establishment of both municipal boards and municipal committees.
Under its provisions each municipal board was to consist of members
not less than 9 in number, both nomirjated and elected, and unless the
Government otherwise directed, not less than 3/5 of the scats were to
be open to election^.

The municipal Board franchise was confined to those who owned
house property, situated within Bikaner Municipality, of a value of
not, less than Rs. 1000 and in other municipaities of a value of notlcss

I. Bi5"A’.is Chittranjan, Bikaner the Land of Marvearts, Indian PubJishing House,
Calcutta p. 62 .

322

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

than Rs. 500 or who paid a rent of not less than Rs. 10 per month, in
Sadar and Rs. 5 per month in the district municipalities for a house or
a shop within the municipal area, or who were in the service of His
Highness the Maharaja of Bikaner, drawing a salary of not less than
Rs. 50 or were graduates of any recognised University, or licensed
vakils or mukhtyars of the Bikaher High Court provided that they were
not under the age of 21. Females were not qualified to votei.

The powers of Municipal Boards were further enhanced by an
amendment in the Act, in 1928, in pursuance of which the Municipal
Board, Bikaner appointed a Health OlRcer to look after the sanitation
of the town, and an Executive Officer to look into the proper discharge
of work in the various departments. Besides a secretary and an engineer
were also appointed^*.

The main sources of income of the Municipalities were Octroi
duty on imported articles, terminal tax, tongas and hackney carriages
tax, teb hazari tax3, duty on export of grains and interest on their'
surplus balances.

These local bodies were responsible for such services as the
improvement of sanitation, lighting of public streets, construction of
wells and diggis for drinking water, maintenance of chowkidars for
watch and ward, granting aid to local schools and dispensaries and
construction and maintenance of roads and thoroughfares.

The number of municipalities in the former Bikaner State in
1924-25 was 15. Of these, Bikaner was the only municipality covered
by the area now included in the present Bikaner district. According
to the Administration Report for the year 1944-45, besides the Bikaner
Municipal Board, there were 26 municipalities in the former Bikaner
State. Of these Bhinasar, Gangashahr, Lonkaransar, Napasar and
Naukha were in the area which now forms part of Bikaner district.
Gangashahr municipality was established in 1939, Napasar in 1941
and Naukha, Lnnkaransar and Bhinasar in 1942-43.^

After the formation of Rajasthan, the Rajasthan Town Munici-
palities Act was enacted in 1951 to establish uniform patterii of Local

1. Biswas. Chittranjan Bikaner the Land of Marwarls, The Indian Publishing House
Calcutta p-62

2. Four Decades of Progress in Bikaner Stale, 1937, p. 76

3. Rent for the use of land for erecting temporary shops.

4. Report on the Administration of the Bikaner State, 1942-43, p. 12,

Local Self-Government

323

Self-Governing Insfitutions in the Stale except the city municipalities.
It introduced the principle of election by adult franchise and all the
members were elected for the first time in 1952. The Rajasthiin Town
Municipalities Act, 1959 superseded the existing City Municipalities
and established a uniform system of municipal administration.
Municipal Boards have been censtituted for a town having a population
exceeding 8000 and municipal councils for towns having a population
of more than 50,0C0. Municipal Boards at Ltinkaransar and Napatar,
having less than the minirr.um population required for the establish-
ment of a Municipal Board, were accordingly converted into Pancha-
yats. The number of municipalities in this district was reduced to
four in the year 1958 but increased to five in 1959 when a Municipal
Board was established at Deshnoke. Under the Provisions of this
Act, Municipalities are empowered to employ their own staff but an
Executive Officer in case of a ’ unicipal Board, and a Municipal
Commissioner in the case of a Municipal Council are appointed by the
State Government.

It is obligatory on the part of Municipalities to levy these
taxes : (1) house tax (2) octroi duty and (3) tax on professions and
callings. They are, however, authorised to levy (1) tax on vehicles
(2) tax on conveyance, and tax on conservancy service, and others,
at their option. Their resources arc further supplemented by the
Government in the form of an annual subsidy, and loans from time
to time.

There arc five municipalities in the district, namely Municipal
Council, Bikaner and Municipal Boards at Gangashahr, Naukha,
Deshnoke and Bhinasar.

Municipal Council, Bikaner City

History — The municipal committee at Bikaner was established
in I889.t It consisted of officials and nominated non-official members
with an official-Chairman as its head. The Municipal Committee
was. however, reckoned more or less as department of the State. In
1917, the Municipal Board was separated from the Government and
a State grant was made for Municipal funds. The number of
members was raised to 21. All of them were nominated by the

1. Etskine, K.D, O’urrffrr.r. Vol. Ill— A, Tyjf Western liS/puliira Slates

and the Wikanrr Apeney p, 369,

324

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

Government, in 1923, the Municipal Act was passed and the number
of the members was raised from 21 to 40, 25 elected and 15
nominated. With the introduction of the elected representatives in
the Bikaner Municipal Board in 1925, its posvers and privileges were
also enhanced, and the official Vice-President was permanently
replaced by a non-official Vice-President in 1929, The Municipal
Ams.ndm-nt Act of 1928 conferred more powers on the Municipal
Board and the services of qualified whole time Health Officers, an
Engineer and a Secretary, were requisitioned to enable the Board to
discharge its duties more efficiently.!

Till 1947, the Bikaner Municipality consisted of 15 nominated
and 25 elected members. The nominated members included a Presi-
dent nme officials and five non-official members, while the elected
members included a Vice-President. In 1947, the President was
elected for the first time. In 1952 all the members were elected on the
basis of adult franchise. Since 1959, the Municipality is regulated by
leproyisions of the Rajasthan Town Municipalities Act, 1959.
Before Its supersession in 1967 by the Government of Rajasthan it
consisted of 36 elected and one co-opted members. Since then it is
a ministered by an administrator appointed by the Government of
Rajasthan.

^°“"^n874) the sanitary condition of
he city wery bad’. People used earthen vessels for night stools and
used to empty them into the streets from the house tops in the
imng regardless of the passers-by. The rudimentary sanitary

oronfoTtl h' ^“P'^'-Vsed by either the Kotwal

con^irt 1 1 officer, and required

filth and w TTf ^fon carts to remove refuse and

more suimS f employed in 1885, and new and

thrniah t I r depositing

esLbli hed to ' Committee was

established to improve sanitary conditions of the city. Since then

bccnTd're!!? '’"T

™"»rva„cy

inciaeralor for h! I™™

urning refuse, and an epidiascope in 1927, wore added

• • <’/ Prrsrcss In Bikaner, p. 7^,

Local Self-Government

325

to imporove the sanitary conditions. In 1939-40 steps were taken to
remove Kbara-Lime- Kilns from their original places to more distant
sites, and a hydrant was fixed at Nawa Kuwa for flushing drains.
Further, measures were adopted for constant inspection of public
places, such as hotels, sweat-meat shops and aerated water factories.
Attempts were also made to regularly treat all the marshy places, pits
and pools with malarial oil, and conservancy gang of 15 labourers
and one iV/gra/j/dar was especially organised in 1942-45 fm levelling
uneven places in the city, and to make an unobstructed channel for
flow of water. Soakpits for the disposal of sullage water were
constructed. The Municipality Sullage drains, were constructed by the
Municipality and the Public Works Department from time to time.
Efforts have also been made to improve the sanitary conditions of the
city by employing more staff and belter equipment. In 1965-66 the
Municipality had in its service a Health Officer, Six Inspectors, 40
Jamadars, 572 Sweepers and nine drivers for the proper maintenance of
sanitation in the city.

Light— Lighting arrangements are made by the Rajasthan State
Electricty Board, Bikaner, and the municipality pays them for the
maintenance. There are, 1,520 electric lamp posts, in the year 1965-66
The electricity is supplied from the Bikaner grid.

Water-Supply — Water-supply is arranged by the Government
Waterworks Department. Water is supplied from several wells by
pumping water through electricity driven pumps. The output of these
pumps is fed into a common pipe-work system connected at one end
with a large covered storage reservoir. In 1951, there were 23 such
wells to supply 24,00,000 gallons every day. In 1958-59 a scheme to
improve water-supply was implemented and nine wells were repaired,
four over-head tanks and three reservoirs were constructed to increase
water-supply from 20 gallons to 30 gallons per head per day.

Financial Position — The income and expenditure of the muni-
cipal council for a number of selected years is given in appendix I.
The figure.s given in the appendix show that the financial position of
the municipal-council is sound.

OmCE Establishment — The office establishment has six
sections namely. Genera! Section. Accounts section, P. W. D. section.
Store section. Health section and Tax wtion. The strength of these
sections is as follows t

326

Rsjasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

General SECxiON—One Commissioner, one office superinten-
dent', three upper division, clerks, five lower division clerks and 13
class IV servants.

2. Accounts Section — One Accountant, six lower division
clerks, three class IV servants.

3. P. W.D. Section— O ne Overseer, two Surveyors, one Mistri,
one upper division clerk and nine class IV servants.

4. Store Section — one mechanic, six drivers, two Khalasis, two
fitters, three helpers, nine class IV servants and one light inspector,

5. Health Section — Three sanitary inspectors, three assistant
sanitary inspectors, two lower division clerks, two class four servants
and 32 jamadars,

6. Tax Section— One Revenue Officer, two assessors, five
house tax inspectors, one revenue inspector, one assistant revenue
inspector, five nakedars, 22 assistant uakedaras, three lower division
clerks, 24 class four servant's, seven recovery jamadars and three naka
guards.

Education — Bikaner municipality is running sixteen compulsory
primary schools. These schools were started by the municipality
under the provisions of the Bikaner Compulsory Primary Education
Act, 1928. The Government of the erstwhile State of Bikaner paid
two-thirds of the maintenance charges of these schools. Seventy
per cent of the expenses are still subsidised by the State Government on
the running of these schools.

Fire Brigade — The Municipal Council is maintaining one fire
engine and a fire brigade, consisting of 12 firemen and three drivers
to meet the eventualities.

MUNICIPAL BOARDS
Municipal Board, Gangasbahr

Municipality at Gangashahr was established in 1939 with
eleven members, all nominated by the Government. The Nazim Sadar
was the ex-officio President of the municipal board. In 1951 the
Rajasthan Town Municipality Act, 1951 (which was replaced by
Rajasthan Municipality Act, 1959) was made applicable ' upd al| the
incpibers of inupjcipality were elected in 1952,

Local Self-Government

327

The Municipal Board consisted of 12 elected and two co-opted
members. At present it is administered by the sub-divisional officer,
Bikaner north, Bikaner. The functions of the Municipal Board are
confined to lighting the streets and looking after the sanitary condi-
tions. For these purposes the board employs 24 sweepers and
maintains 151 electricity lamp posts. Lighting arrangements are made
by Rajasthan State Electricity Board, Bikaner and the municipal board
pays fixed charges for the same. The Municipal Board has contributed
Rs. ] ,00, COO (Rs. 50,000 from funds of the board and Rs. 50,000
donated by the public) towards the construction of pipe line for the
supply water of from of waterworks, Bikaner. During the year 1964-65
and 1965-66 the income of the Municipality was Rs. 1,07,300 and
Rs. 1,35,900 respectively while the expenditure for the corresponding
years was Rs. 1,07,300 and 1,37,100.

Municipal Board, Bhinasar

History — Municipality at Bhinasar was established in 1942-43.
It consisted of a President, a Vice-President and seven members,
all nominated. In 1951 the provisions of Rajasthan Town Munici-
palities Act, 1951 (which was replaced by Rajasthan Municipality
Act, 1959) were made applicable and the members elected for the first
time in 1952 by adult franchise.

The municipal board consisted of ten elected and two co-opted
female members before its supersession by the Government of Rajasthan
in 1967. Since then it is administered by sub-divisiqnal officer, Bikaner-
South, Bikaner, The municipality looks after sanitation and lighting
of the public streets only and maintains 57 electric lamp posts. It
has also engaged one Jamadar and nine sweepers for scavenging and
other sanitary works.

Financial position— During the year 1964-65, the income ofthe
board was Rs, 30,300 and in 1965-66 was Rs. 76,700; the expenditure
of the Board for these two years was Rs. 30,300 and Rs. 83,100
respectively.

Municipal Board, Naiikha

History — Naukha municipality was established in 1942-43, as a
purely nominated body, consisting of nine members, including a
President and a Vice-President. In 195!, the provisions of the
Rujasthfin Town Municipality Act. !y5! were made applicable and
the members were for the first time elected by adult franchise in 1952.

328

Rajasthan District Uazetteers— uiKaner

At present the board consists of ten elected and two co-opted
female members. The board engages one Jamadar and 38 sweepers
for cleaning streets and other sanitary works. The strength of the
employees in other sections, namely, office establishment is 8,
tax-collection 12 and water-supply seven. A gardener is also
employed by the board.

The functions of the municipal board are confined to lighting
the streets, looking after the sanitary conditions and park facilities.

Financial position — The total income and expenditure of the
municipality for the years 1964-65 and 1965-66 are given below :

Year

Income (Rs.)

Expenditure (Rs.)

1964-65

2,56,400

1965-66

1,40,200 .

1,60,300

Municipal Board, Deshnoke

History— Municipality at Deshnoke was established in 1957. It
comprises ten elected and two co-opted women members. The
functions of the municipal board are confined to sanitation, lighting
the streets and making arrangements for public water stands to facili-
tate the supply of water. It engages one Jamadar and 16 sweepers for
cleaning the streets and other sanitary works, maintains 74 lamp-
posts and one mercury light and a gardener for looking after a
public park. The strength of employees in other sections namely
office establishment and tax collection is six and two respectively. The
income of the Board during 1964-65 and 1965-:6 was Rs. 25,800 and
Rs. 17,800 respectively while the expenditure during the same period
was Rs. 25,800 and Rs. 21,600 respectively.

DISTRICT BOARDS

History — Establishment of district boards in rural areas under
the District Board Act, 1935 formed another step towards progressive
realisation of local self-government. The franchise, however, was
limited to (i) Padedars ; (ii) every land-holder Kliatedar or Asami in
Kltalsa villages who paid or was liable to pay Rs, 25 as rent annually
(iii) every Chhutbhai or land-holder or tenant in alienated villages
who paid or was liable to pay Rs. 33 as rent annually ; (iv) every

Local Self-Government

329

tenant of agricultural land who was a subject of Bikaner State and
who paid or was liable to pay Rs. 50 as rent annually and (v) every
person ordinarily residing in the rural area who bad passed middle
school examination, or any other examination equivalent to, or higher
than the middle school standard. Such persons must be above 21
years of age, of sound mind adjudged by a competent court and
subjects of Bikaner Stated. Between 1939-40 and 1941-42 the number
of District Boards was raised to five from one. They were; Ganganagar,
Sadar, Rajgarh, Sujangarh and Suratgarh, Bikaner Board (Sadar) is
described below :

District Board, Bikaner

History — The District Boaid likancr which was constituted in
1942 consisted of 45 members, out of whom 33 were elected. The
income of the Board was derived from the following sources :

(i) a levy of 6 pies (3 paise) per rupee on land revenue in Khnlsa
villages and tribute from Patta villages ; (ii) a charge of 1 pie (half
paisa) per rupee on income in case of Betalab village.

Powers and limitations— The Chairman of the board was
appointed by the Government. The vice-chairman was elected by
members from 'among themselves but the appointment was subject to
the approval of the Government. The budget of the board was to be
placed before the Government who could sanction, modify or reject
it. The revenue-commissioner could not only inspect the property,
documents and records but could prohibit the execution or further
execution of any resolution or order if in his opinion such resolution
or order was of a nature to cause or tend to cause obstruction,
annoyance or injury to the public, or to a class or body of persons
lawfully employed, or danger to human life, health or safety, or
likely to cause a riot or affray.

PANCHAYATS

History — Steps for the establishment of panchayats were taken
in i928 when Bikaner Village Panchayat Act was enacted with the
aim of making village the lowest Administration Unit. The State
Government was authorised to declare any area to be a panchayat
area. Panchayats established under the Act, consisted of not less
than five or more than nine elected members and were authorised

1. Biswas Chhttanjan ; ISlkcner tficlandof the MorKorls, pp. 70-71,

330

6.ajastiian bistrlct Gazetteers— Bikaner

to hear civil suits for sums not exceeding Rs. 50 and could take
cognizance of minor oifences, like (i) riot, (ii) committing a public
nuisance, (iii) obscene acts and songs, (iv) assault or use of criminal
force (v) theft of property not exceeding ten rupees, (vi) receiving
stolen property (vii) criminal intimidation and (viii) outraging the
modesty of woman. The maximum penalties inflicted by any
panchayat could not exceed Rs. 10 or double the damage or loss
caused whichever was greater. The Act debarred legal practitioners
to appear on behalf of any party and requited parties to appear
personally or though agents, such as a servant or a partner or a
relative. Cases were to be decided by majority in case of disagreement
among the members of the panchayat and no court fee was charged.
Besides, the administrative duties and powers of panchayats included
the management of schools, supply of drinking water, protection of
tanks, maintenance of burial grounds and planting and preservation
of trees. The activities of the panchayats were financed by the village
fund in every Panchayat Circle consisting of sums contributed by the
Government or local bodies or private persons, and the receipts on
account of the cess not exceeding 6 pies per rupee of the land revenue,
leived by a Pancbayat.i

The Revenne Minister excercised general powers of inspection,
supervision and control in the working of the panchayats.!^ The
Government had powers to suspend or dissolve any panchayat on
reasonable grounds. Panchayats came to be established immediately at
Surpura, Napasar, Palana, Panchu, Jarasar, Shaikhsar, Bada Bas, Runia
and Khokhera in his district, and their number was eight in 1935
which was raised to, 49 by the time the State was merged. Details are
given in the appendix II.

Re-organisation of Panchayat System

The panchayt system was re-organised in 1953 under the
Rajasthan Panchayat Act, 1953 by setting up eighty-five panchayats,
and four tahsil panchayats (to exercise supervision and control) at
the headquarters of all tahsils. The tahsil panchayats were replaced
by panchayat samitis in 1959
Panchayats

The Act provided for the division of the Pancliayal Circle into
wards and a panch to be elected from each ward. The minimum

1. Biswas Chitraranjan, the Land of hfarwari<i, pp. 71-J2.

2. Ibid p. 73.

Local Self-Governmenl

331

number of panchas required for the formation of a panchayat was
five, and the maximum fifteen, besides a sarpanch. The term of a
panchayat was three years, which could be extended by one year.
The panchas and sarpanchas were elected directly by the voters of
the panchayat area. Up-sarpanch vvas elected from amongst the
members. In the beginning, elections were held by show of hands
but the system was later changed to that by a secret ballot. Provision
was made for the nomination of a panch from scheduled castes, if
no such member was elected. Women were also nominated in the
same way.

The panchayats were expected to discharge a number of
obligatory and discretionary functions. The obligatory functions were ;
the construction, repair and maintenance of public wells and ponds,
sanitation, street maintenance and light, registration of births, deaths
and marriages, regulation of meals and establishment and maintenance
of primary schools; while the discretionary functions included ;
planning, development of co-operation, famine relief, establishment
of reading rooms and measures designed to promote the moral and
material well-being of the people. The panchayats could also try
suits upto the value ofRs. 100, exercise the powers of third class
magistrate except powers to order imprisonment in criminal cases,
impose fines upto a maximum of Rs. 15 in administrative cases and
upto Rs. 50 in judicial cases.

Tabsil Panchayats

Each tahsil panchayat consisted of a sarpach and six to eight
panchas elected out of an clectrol college consisting of the panchas
and sarpanchas of the panchayats in that tahsil. The tahsil panchayats
heard appeals against the orders, decisions, decrees or sentences
passed by the panchayats.

Democratic Decentralisation

The Rajasthan Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads Act,
1959, which has introduced a three tier system of local self-government,
was inaugurated on October 2, 1959. Under the .Act. One hundred
twenty three panchayats at the village level, four panchayat samitis
at the tahsil level and a zila parishad at the district level have been
established in this district.^

1. Pa^choyaii Pif Rifasshin, p. 3.’,

332

Rajasthan District Gazetteers—Blkaner

Panchayats Under the New Set-up

Panchayats have now been made co-terminus with the smallest
unit of revenue administration, that is a patwar circle. A village
panchayat serves population ranging between 1500 to 2000 and consists
of eight to fifteen panchas excluding the Sarpanch. Provision has
been made to co-opt two women panchas; and one scheduled caste
panch and one scheduled tribe panch in areas where their population
exceeds 5 per cent of the total population. The sources of revenue
of panchayats are taxes, cattle pond, court fees, fines, fairs, sale of
land and share from the land revenue.

Where the former panchayats had been vested with both
developmental and judicial functions, the present panchayats are
invested with the former only, and the judicial functions are performed
by the newly constituted nyaya panchayats. The panchayat samitis
are pnmary units for planning and local development while the main
function of the zila parishad is co-ordination.

Elections were held in December, 1,960 when 1029 panchas were
elected in 123 panchayats. The panchayat set-up was for the first
time organised on the basis of adult sufferage. The details of panchayat
samitis, nyaya panchayats and village panchayats are given belowi ;

(Number)

S. No.

Panchayat

Samiti

Nyaya

Panchayat

Village

Panchayat

Total

Bikaner

Naukha

Kolayat

Lonkaransar

Total

123

149

Nyaya Panchayats

To separate judicial functions from the executive at the village
nyaya fpanchayats in the district having
jurisdiction over an area of five to seven panchayats, have been

J. Source : Office of the Secretary Zjla Parishad, Bikanen

Local Self-Government

33 $

established to administer civil and criminal justice. Out of these seven
are in Bikaner, eight in Naukha, five in Koliiyat and six in
Lonkaransar panchayat samitis (name and location of nyaya
panchayats are given in appendix III). The members are elected
by the constituent panchayats, on the basis of one each, Nyaya
panchayat functions through benches of three members. Chairman
of the nyaya panchayat is elected by members from amongst them-
selves. He constitutes benches and assigns area to each bench. He
can vary the jurisdiction of the benches and their membership whenever
necessary. Nyaya panchayats function through benches of three
members for the area assigned to each. They have been empowered
to try certain minor criminal offences (specified in a schedule attached
to the Act)i and to impose fines not exceeding Rs, 50. In the event
of non-payment, the matter is brought to the notice of the sub-
divisional magistrate who makes recovery as in the case of fines
imposed by himself. In civil cases these panchayats have jurisdiction
to try suits not exceeding Rs. 250 in value. There is no provision for
appeal against the orders of nyaya panchayat, but revision can be
filed with the in civil suits and magistrate of the 1st -Class in
criminal cases.

PANCHAYAT SAMITIS

History

Every panchayat samiti consists of all Sarpanchas of the
panchayats and Krishi Nipun as ex-officio members. Provision
has'been made to co-opt two women, two persons from Scheduled Castes
and Tribes and two persons having experience in administration, public
life or rural development, one representative of co-operative societies
and one representative of the graradan villages. Panchayat samitis
have full powers to frame their budgets and formulate their annual
plans of development within the frame-work of the State Plan. The
samiti plan covers agriculture, animal husbandry, co-operation, minor

t. OfTcnccs under scefjons 140, 163.172, 174, 175, 178,179,180,183.202,228.
264. 265. 266, 267. 26V. 277, 278. 279, 28.3, 285. 266. 288, 289, 290, 294. 323.
334, .336. 341.352. 356,357. 358. 374. 379. 380. 38(, 403. 411, .126. 430. 447,
446.461, 504.506, 509. 510 of the Indian Penal Code. 1860 and OfTcncci
under the Cattle Tresn3<;s Act, 1871, the , Vaccination Act. 18S0, Preventien of
Cruelty to Animals Act, 1E90, Rajasthan Public GamWinp Ordinance, 1949,
RBjasth.in Prevcnlinn uf Juvenile Smokinn Act, 1950 and any other offence
under any law declared by ihs State Gtwcrr.mept tP h-c triable by nyaya
pancb-astit.

334

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

irrigation works, village industries, primary education, local comrauni
cation, sanitation, health and medical relief and local amenities.

Financial Resources

The income of the panchayat samitis is derived from State
grants, people’s participation in the form of labour, contributions, and
taxes on fairs, trades and professions, industries and entertainment,
cesses on rent of agricultural land, primary education and leases
granted for the collection of bones.

Pa'NCha’iAt Samiti, Bikamer — ^Its jurisdiction extends to 33
village panchayats (names are given in the appendix III and it consists
of 33 sarpanchas and seven co-opted members (two each from women
and Scheduled Castes and three specialists). The panchayat samiti
covers a development block which is in the first stage,

Panchayat Samiti, Naukha — It comprises‘41 village panchayats
and consists of 41 sarpanchas and seven co-opted members, two each
from women and scheduled castes, and three specialists. The develop-
ment block o'" the panchayat samiti is in the second stage.

Panchayat Samiti, Kolayat — It comprises 23 village paneba-
yats (names are given in the appendix III), and consists of 23 sarpan-
chas and seven co-opted members (two each from women and scheduled
castes and three specialists). The panchayat samiti covers a develop-
ment block which is in the first stage.

Panchayat Samiti Lunkarnsar— This panchayat samiti com-
prises 26 village panchayats (names are given in appendix III, and it
consists of 26 sarpanchas and 5 co-opted members (two women and
three specialists). The development block of the panchayat samiti is
in second stage.

Zila Parisbed

A zila parishad consists of all Pradhans of the panchayat
samitis, members of Parliament and members of State Legislature
Assembly in the district, and president of the District Central Co-
operative Bank, gs the ex-officio members. Collector of the district
is the ex-officio non-voting member. Provision has been made to co-
opt two women,' one member from the scheduled castes, one from
scheduled tribes in areas where their population exceeds 5 per cent of
]))e total population, and two persons of exocrience in administration,

Local Sclf-Governmcni;

335

public life and rural development. Co-opted members are elected by
ex-officio members by secret ballot.

The Bikaner zila parishad was constituted on October 2, 1959
under the democratic decentralisation scheme. It superseded the
Bikaner District Board. It consists of 15 members (after the Panchayat
elections in 1965), which include a pramukh, an up-pramukh, tsvo
members of Parliament, five members of State Legislative Assembly,
four pradhans of the panchayat samitis in the district, the president,
Co-operative Bank in the district and Collector who is ex-officio non-
voting member.

The zila parishad has not been assigned any executive functions.
Its main role is to supervise and co-ordinate the work of four pancha-
yat samitis in the district, to maintain liaison between the State
Government on the one hand and the panchayats and panchayat-saraitis
on the other, and to prepare a consolidated district plan on the basis of
the plans of the panchayat samitis.

336

Riijasthan

District Gazetteers— Bikatiet’

Appendix I

Income and expenditure of the Municipal Council, Bikaner
for a number of selected years.i

(Rs.)

Year

Income

Expenditure

1906-07

14,177

37,801

1907-08

16,461

38,126

1908-09

1,80,57^

35,741

1923-24

60,840

62,104

1924-25

55,100

70,039

1939-40

1,12,172

1,07,737

1940-41

1,38,347

1,09,504

1941-42

1,57,667

1,42,126

1942-43

1,62,143

1,74,175

1943-44

1,76,028

2,30,528

1944-45

1,71,818

2,77,918

1945-46

99,689

52,812

1946-47

2,52,562

2,34,679

1961-62

.11,13,235

9,20,741

1962-63

11,94,711

10,84,243

1963-64

12,87,792

11,44,600

1964-65

11,98,500

1965-66

10,90,800

10,08,500

1966-67

11,17,001

12,37,037

1, Source : Report on the Administration of the Bikaner State for the years 1939-40
to 1946-47 and office of the Executive Officer, Municipal Board. BiXaner
for the years 1961-62 to 1963-64 and Municipal year Book published by
the Directorate of the Economics and Statistics, Jaipur for J964-65 and
1965-66.

I-ocal Self-Goverhmeni

Appendix II

The tafasi!-wisc distribution of grara-panchayafs in 1951

Bikaner Tahsil

1* Palana

12. Behrasar

2. Udasar

13. Tajrasar

3. Gusainsar

14. Jamsar

4. Udramsar

15. Runiwas or Runia

5. Barsisar

16. Pemasar

6. Husangsar

17. Pogal

7. Sordhana

18. Ramsar

8. Gadhwala

19. Kilohu

9. Naurangdcsai

20. Khurra

10. Nai

21. Jaimalsar

11. Kamasar

Naukha Tahsil

1. Stirpura

9. Sadasar

2. Kakroa

10. Gajrubdcsar

3. Badno

11. Panchan

4, Lallamdesar Bara & Chlota 12. Kuchor

5. Rasisar

13. Kcsardesar

6. Jasrasar

14. Kokatn

7. Hcmatsar

15. Ankhisar

8. Mundsar

Lonkaransar Tahsil

1. Saikhsar

6. Kakri

2. Khokhrana

7. Sehajrasar

3. Kujati

8. Mahajan

4. Kalu

9. Jaitpur

5. Kaporisar

10. Kuniana

KoJUyat Tabsil

3, Jhajhu

1 , KoUTyat

2. Gajncr

338

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikanet

Appendix III

List of Panchayat Samitis, Nyaya Panchayats and Panchayats

Panchayat Nyaya Panchayats

Samili Panchayat

1 2 3

Bikaner 1. Napasar

2. lamsar

3. Udasar

4. Palana

5. Psgal

6. Jaimalsar

7. Bamblu

Naukha 1. Rora

2. Kaku

3. Hetnatsar

4. Sindgru

5. Sadasar

6. Panchan

I. Napasar 2. Ramsar 3. Tejrasar
4. Mundsar 5. Sital 6, Gadhwala

7. Jamsav 8. Katnisat 9. Malasat

10. Lalasar

II. Udasar 12. Sujandesar

1 3. Rirmalsar 14. Sheo Bari
15. Nal Bart 16. Karmlsar

17. Palana 18. Ambasar
19. Udramsar 20. Lalamdesar
21. Kesradesar 22. Narsingsar
23. Pogal 24. Dantor 25. Sattasar

26. Jaimalsar 27. Amarpura

28. Kanasar

29. Bamblu 30, Naurangdesar
“1. Sirera 32. Rooniyan Barwas
.>3. Gusainsar

1. Blkasar 2, Kodsu 3. Rora
4. Chatkara 5. Rasisar

6. Kaku 7. Sarunda 8. Bhadla
9, Dhawa 10. Bbamatsar

11. Hematsar 12. Kakro 13. Rasar

14, Ankisar 15, Mokam 16. Jesalsar
17. Gajrubdesar 18. Morkhana

19. Surpura 20. Salonda
21. Sindgru

,22, Sadasar 23. Badno 24, Kuchora

25. Gajsukhdcsar

26 . Panchan 27. Nfithusar
28. Dcshnoke 29, Dheegsari

30. Kuchor Athuni

Local Self-Government

339

Desilsar

31. Desilsar 32. Janglu 33. Jesindesar

34. Monjasar 35. Udasar

Jasrasar

36, Jasrasar 37. Udsar 38. Nokhagaon •
39. Thaoria 40. Somalsar

Lankaransar 1.

Kanolai

1. Kumana 2 Kaoolai 3. Jagar

4. Mahdiali 5. Kharbara

Kalu

6. Kalu 7. Kujati 8. Garabdesar

9. Ravansar

• 3.

Shaikhsar

10. Shaikhsar ll.Suin

12, Kaparisar 13. Rajasar

Rajasar

14. Sodhwali 15. Motolfii

16. Khokhrana 17. Rajasar

Lankaransar

18. Kakarwala 19. Dhuldesar

20. Dhirera 21, Hanscran

22. Lonkaransar .

Mahajan

23, Jelsar 24..Khansar^ 25. -Mahajan

26. Rojha

Koliiyat

Kolayat

1. Kolayat Gajncr 3. Jhajhu

4. Bbolasar '5:'Akasaj -

Mankasar

' ii ^ 7; .'Mankasar .8. Bajju

ilpur

Gura

n'charnan ll.Sarjaro

jz. uiiiiuokh 13, Gura

Girajsar

14. Bikampur 15. Gogriyawula

16. Scvara 17. Girajsar

Hadda

IS. Khclolai 19. Khakhasar

20. Chhancri 21. Khndasar

22, Dijsori 23. Hadda

CHAPTER XV

EDUCATION AND CULTURE

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The area comprised in the district has been rugged and desolate.
It has been the scene of fierce and frequent battles fought for its
occupationin the course of which the territory changed hands frequent-
ly. In these circumstances, fitness for survival was the most cardinal
virtue. Emphasis had to be placed on the ability to wield the sword
rather than the pen. In fact, the elite, the ruling class and the landed
aristocracy, gave secondary importance to reading and writing leaving
this placid avocation to be pursued by their paid employees. Profici-
ency in letters was believed to be the principal concern of the Brahmans
and Mahajans. Others derided it till after the close of the eighteenth
century and took little interest in formal education.

The small groups to which formal education was imparted
reived it from individuals, and there were very few Pathshalas or
a liabs which could be called organised educational institutions,
hen the necessity of formal education began to be felt, it still remain-
ed the privilege of a small minority, consisting of the Rulers, the
landed aristocracy and the wealthy merchants. The education which
generally consisted in the ability to read and write was imparted
through the traditional Pathshala and Makhtabs.

In 1870 there were only 12 Pathshalas or schools which taught
heir pupils the art of reading and writing and keeping of accounts, and
heir condition was far from being enviable. According to Powlett,
previously the places of education were the temples. Jain monasteries

mlh / the many wealthy

CQuin t^tight to read, write and cipher. Their whole school

S studies are usually conduct.

was 1 Ta I ^ Hindi and Urdu School

vas started at Bikaner in 1872. In 1883, the Darbar Primary School

cst-ihi:!h!!iT^?^l"^^‘ educational institutions continued to be

The number of State schools in 1887
va 29^11 increased to 43 in 1911-12 and to 60 in 1918. In the year

y' Mayo College, Ajmer,

PP > c. as Director of Education to survey the condition of

Education And Culture

341

educational progress and suggest improvements. His efforts cleared the
way for the introduction of a new educational scheme in 1918, the
salient features of which were as follows :

1. Popularising College Education by the offer of liberal
scholarships.

2. Raising the status of the Walter Noble’s School to the
matriculation standard.

3. Improving and enlarging the staff of the Dungar Memorial
College and the Anglo-Vernacular Schools in the district.

4. Much wider diffusion of Primary Education by opening new
State schools and giving liberal granfs-in-aid to private institutions.

5. Extending the benefits of female education by opening new
schools and affording assistance to private institutions in the shape of
grants-in-aid, advice and supervision by the State Inspecting Staff.

6. Providing greater facilities for the study of Sanskrit by
opening a Pathshala in the capital manned by really capable priestly
class in Jyotish (astrology), Vyakaran (grammer) and Karam-kand
(rituals).

7. Providing facilities to local men to undergo training in
arts and professions both within and outside the State.

As a result of the implementation of these educational schemes
the number of institutions increased to 74 in 1920-21 and continued
to increase thereafter (the details arc given on the following page).

Another milestone in the history of educational progress was
the enactment of the Compulsory Primary Education Act. in 1928.
Its provisions were of a permissive nature, so that it was open to the
Municipalities to apply for sanction to enforce it to any particular
area and the Government assumed the responsibility for two-thirds
of the cost on compulsory education and one-third was to be incurred
by the Municipal bodies. Accordingh% Bikaner Municipality started
compulsory Primary Schools in Bikaner. Their number gradually
increased to 16 in 1948. The benefits of this scheme were not realised
anywhere else in the district.

Separate figures for the area comprised in the district arc not
available but the progress of education in the erstwhile princely State
pf Bikaner as a whole can be gauged fropi the Ibllowing table? :

342

Rgjasil^nn District Gazetteers — Bikaner

Year

No. of State
Schools

No. of
teachers

No. of
pupils

Expenditure

(Rs.l

1897-98

18,125

1911-12

3,056

1918-19

169

3,512

84,299

1920-21

,5,238

14,162

1925-26

211

4,795

1,38,735

1930-31

328

7,701

2,41,537.

1935-36

122

386

9,361

2,92,357

In 1935-36 there were 50 private schools of different kinds
receiving grants-in-aid, 39 private recognised schools and 170 private
unrecognised schools in addition to the State Schools. The total enrol-
ment was 6,752 and 9,539 in the recognised and unrecognised schools
respectively. After 1935-36 the quinquennial progress of State, public
and private funds educational institutions and the students studying
therein, is shown below :

1940-41

1945-46

Schools Scholars

State Schools

Public Funds
Schools

131 12,313

137 7,186

201 18,187

Private Schools

191 7,975

432 18,955

Total

Expenditure

459 27,474

Rs. 4,06,677

633 37,142

Rs. 4,22,252

GENERAL EDUCATION

Administrative Set-up

In 1927 the Directorate of Education was set-up. The depart-
ment continued to grow from time to time. On the eve of merger, the
administrative set-up of the Education Department of the former State

aLStrr of Education who was

assisted by an Assistant Director, an Inspector of Schools and an

.P p c rcss of Girls Schopls. The Inspector of Schools was assisted by

Education And Cultur

343

two Assistant Inspectors of Schools. The supervision of various schools
was divided into Central, Northern, Western, Eastern and Southern
Circles, and each circle was in the charge of a Deputy Inspector of
Schools. The Inspectress of Schools was assisted by an Assistant
Inspectress of Girls Schools.

With the merger of the erstwhile Bikaner State, the Division
including the districts of Bikaner, Ganganagar and Churu, was placed
under the charge of a special Education Officer, afterwards redesignated
as Inspector of Schools. He was assisted by one Deputy Inspectress of
Girls’ Schools and three Deputy Inspectors. The Inspectress and one of
the Deputy Inspectors were posted at Bikaner. Later on this Inspector
was made exclusively responsible for the district.

The Inspector of Schools was assisted by a Deputy Inspector
who was in-charge of the middle schools and two sub-Deputy Inspectors
for Primary Schools. On the formation of the Panchayat Samitis, the
control of the primary schools except those located in Bikaner city,
was transferred to them. The posts of sub-Deputy Inspectors were
abolished and instead each ‘Samiti’ was given an Education Extension
Officer to supervise the working of these schools. The Inspector and
the Deputy Inspector are available to the ‘Samitis’ for advice. They
also control the high and middle schools and only such primary schools
which have not been handed over to the local bodies. The office of
the Deputy Inspectress was raised to that of Inspectress of Schools in
1964. The Inspectress of Girls’ Schools with her head quarters at
Bikaner, holds the charge of the girls’ schools of the districts of
Bikaner, Ganganagcr and Churu.

New Trends

Since the launching of the First Five Year Plan in 1951, new
tendencies in the field of education, namely, (1) transfer of the control
of primary education to the Panchayat Samitis, (ii) Upgrading of a
number of schools and (iii) craft orientation of primary schools, have
steadily emerged. Besides, measures for providing educational facilities
for all children between 6 and 14 years of age and the introduction of
the three years’ higher secondary education pattern and the Three Years’
Degree Course in all Colleges have been adopted.

The Primary Fdocalion

The lota! strength of the primary schools in the district was 104

344

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

on the eve of the merger of the former State of Bikaner. It was raised
to 108 in 1950-51. Since then the number is rapidly increasing due to
adoption of the policy that the State is responsible for the elementary
education, and that it should be compulsory for all school-going
children. The number of institutions, scholars and teachers, rose to
148,7,779 and 292 resptectively in 1955-56, and to 340,22,844 and 670
respectively in 1960-61, when all the primary schools (boys and girls)
in the rural area were transferred to the Panchayat Samitis. The
strength of the primary schools in 1965-66 was 435, that of scholars
35,932 and teachers 1,069, In the year 1965-66, there were- 56 State
Primary Schools, 16 compulsory primary schools managed by the
Municipal Council, Bikaner, 16 aided primary schools and 17 Private
Primary Schools recognised by the State for boys, under the control of
the Inspector of Schools, and 21 girls primary schools were under the
administrative control of the Inspectress of Schools. The rest, totalling
347 were under tee Panchayat Samitis.

Middle Schools

The total number of middle schools for boys and girls in the •
district was 20 in 1951. At the end of the First Five Year Plan in
1955-56, the number of schools was 27; that of scholars 2,740 and
teachers 128. Their respective strength increased to 48, 11850 and 422 .
in the year 1960-61 at the end of the Second Five Year Plan, and 56,
14222 and 600 in the year 1965-66 at the close of Third Five Year
Plan. Of the middle schools, boys schools are controlled by
the Inspector of Schools, and girls Middle Schools are under the
administrative control of the Inspectress of Schools. The girls’ schools
are mostly located in the city and towns; there being II middle schools
in Bikaner, 2 in Gangashahr and one each in the towns of Naukha,
Bhinasar and Deshnoke, The only middle school in the rural area is
located at Lunkaransar. Facilities for girls education are being utilised
to a very limited extent because the villagers are not yet keen
about the education of their girls and it will take some time before
they realise the value and utility of female education.

The only town in the district where there is still no girls middle
school is Kolayat. Majority of Middle Schools for boys are located
at Bikaner and Ganagashahar besides one each at Udramsar, Udasar,
Devakund Sagar, Kesardesar, Palana, Barisingsar, Sinthal, Shreraron,
lamsar, Pngal, Panchnn Janglu, Verasar, Jarsinghdesar, Magra,

Education And Culture

345

Bandhara, Desilsar, Hematsar, Rasisar, Jasrasar, Kankara Akhasar,
Gajner, Jhajhu, Diyatara, Bajju, Makajar, Jailasar, Kaporirar and
Shekhasar.

High and Higher Secondary Schools

On the eve of merger of the erstwhile State of Bikaner there
were 8 High Schools in the district. In the year 1950-51 also there were
8 High Schools for boys and no separate High School for girls. This
number increased to 11 (all boys) in 1955-56, and that of students
and teachers to 4948, and 192 respectively. Their respective strength
further increased to 17 (16 boys. 1 girl), 8532 and 383 in 1960-61 and
22, 10494 and 473 in 1965-66.

Colleges

On the eve of merger of the erstwhile State of Bikaner, there
were three colleges for general education and one for training the
teachers up to Teachers Training Cartificate standard, in this district.
Their number increased to nine in 1960-61 and 12 in 1965-66. Among
them five arc for general education, one each for Medical, Veterinary
and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Science of Indian Medicine, training
of teachers and Sanskrit education. The details about enrolment and
strength of teachers and scholars are as follows :

1965-66

(Scholars)

1 965-66

(Teachers)

Boys

Girls

Total

Males

tcmalcs

Idial

Colleges fori General
Education •

1335

359

1794

112

Professional^ Education

1944

474

2418

246

273

Special Education!!

257

282

—

1. Colleges for senera! education include institutions in the faculties of Arts and

Science.

2. Professional Education includes training in various professlcna! education viz..
Medical, Engineering. Technology, Veterinary, Ayurved, Agriculture,
Commerce, Law, Teachers Tr-aining and Physical Education.

3. Speci.al education cosets those institutions v Inch imparl irntfuctions in f.tulic,
Dancing. Fine Arts, Oriental Studies and SOviakEduc.Hton.

346 Rajasthan District (jazetteers— fiikaner

There are five colleges for General Education affiliated to the
University of Rajasthan. The details of which are as follows :

Names of Colleges

Date of estab-

Educational

Number in 1966

Ushment

taciUUes

provided

Students^ Teachers

Dangar College,

1882 as Primary

M.A., M.SC.,

928 64

Bikaner

School and was
raised to the
Intermediate
College in 1928,
Degree in 1935
and Post-
Graduate in

1942.

M.Com. B.A.,
B.Sc., B.Com.,
Pre-university,

and LL B.

Mabarani
Sudershna College
for women,
Bikaner

1946

B.A., B.Sc.,
and P.U.C.

315 26

Jain Degree

1907 as Primary

M.Com.,

251 8

College, Bikaner

School and was
raised to a High
School in 1948,
to the Interme-
diate standard
in 1954 and to
a Degree College
in 1957.

B.Com., and
P.U.C.
Commerce
only

B.J.S.R. College,

1934 as a Mid-

B.A., B.Sc.,

300 13

Bikaner

die School and
was raised to a
High School in
1945, to an
Intermediate
College in 1945
and to a Degree
College in 1957.

P.U.C. (Arts
& Science)

Nehru Sarada
Peeth, Bikaner

1965 as Degree
College

B.A. B.Com.

146 13

Education And Culture

347

Teachers, Training College, Bikaner

A Teachers’ Training School was started in the year 1941. It was
later raised to the Teachers’ Teaining Certificate Standard and was
affiliated to the Rajputana Board. It was again upgraded and B.Ed.
classes were opened in the year 1956. Education is free for all
women trainees and they are given a stipend of Rs. 40 per mensum
for the duration of the B.Ed. Course. The institution has separate
hostel facilities for men and women students with a capacity to
accommodate 100 men and 40 women. The number of teachers
during the sessions 1950-51, 1955-56, 1960-61 and 1965-66 was 8,
10, 17 and 18 respectively and that of students for the corresponding
years was 48. 75, 126 and 138. The college has a library consisting
of 9689 books.

Shr! Sanatan Dharm Aynrved College

Established in 1945, the Institution prepares the students for
the various examinations in indigenous system of Indian Medicine,
Even though the e'ducation is free, the number of students is not
encouraging. The strength of students in 1950-51, 1955-66, 1960-61
and 1965-66 was 32, 34, 23 and 35 respectively, and that of teachers
four, eight, ten and ten for the corresponding years. A hostel
having capacity to accommodate 50 students is attached to the
institution,

Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner

Started in July, 1959 by the Government of Rajasthan, it
imparts instructions to students for M.B.B.S. courses and ofiers
facilities for the M.Sc, (Med.) Courses in Anatomy and Physiology.
The institution also provides facilities for post-graduate studies in
medicine and surgery. It maintains five hostels having a capacity of
accommodating 578 students- One of them with a capacity, for 120
is reserved for girls. The number of students and teachers in the years
1960-61 and 1965-66 was 223 and 712 and 16 and 67 respectively.
The College has a library containing 7731 books and 289 journals.

Veterinary College, Bikaner

The College of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Science,
Bikaner is located in Vijay Bhowan. It was established in 1954, The
College is affiliated to the Uniyersity of Udaipur and prepares

348

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bjkaner

students for B.V. Sc. and A.H., M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees. The
number of students in the year 195S-66, 1960-61 and 1965 66 was
I3l, 249 and 238 respectively and that of teachers, 38 in 1960-61 and
55 in 1965-66,

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS
Bikaner Polytechnic, Bikaner

It was established in July 1962 by the Government of
djasthan and is controlled by the Director of Technical Education.
IS temporarily located in the old Dungar College building and is
) e y to be shifted to the newly constructed building on Shiv Bari
oa y 1967-68 session. The institution prepares students for
ip oma Courses in Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering,

of students and teachers during the session 1965-66
was 373 and 42 respectively.

SPECIAL INSTITUTIONS

Oriental Institntions

hoc c. ‘"^ardul Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Bikaner— T his institution

SL T n management of Shri

sturfpnf f ^ ^^'^karyashram Trust, Bikaner. At present it prepares

AcS ,l UMhyaya and Shastri axanmaiions. and

MaminaUon in Sahitya and Vyakarana
S "’“‘'"al by tha Board of sLndary

ElTfl, ■ T DopartaienJ

LT ■ "0 strength of the students

d teachers ,n I96S-66 was 282 and 18 respectively The Vidya-

pccth has a library of 8390 boots. ^ me vioya-

.O „ frasHAta, BIJCANER-It was ODoed in 1918

and TprLates'Tr Ktrom-kond

ZJL7:7 rLUd

Aimer Th. ' Secondary Education, Rajasthan,

respeeUvely, "“b"' '«'y ““d sis

School for Blind

rcsidendal’t!,;f°r^’ ^^63 as a

It is finanr H K wherc all the expenses are borne by the State

Ins financed by the Social Welfare Departmep^ ,nd its workin^^

Education And Culture

340

supervised by the Education Department. During the first year of its
life there were 15 students and one teacher. The strength of students
and teachers increased to 25 and 4 respectively. In 1965-66, it imparts
instructions upto fifth standard. On completion of their studies
the students are sent to Government School in Dehra Dun for
training in Handicrafts. The Handicrafts Department of the school
trains them in canning of chairs. The Music Department prepares
them for examination conducted by Brahat Gujarat Sangit Samiti,
Ahmed abad.

LITERACY AND EDUCATIONAL STANDARD

According to the 1951 Census, 11.20 per cent of the population
was literate, the percentage being 17.39 among males and 4.55
among females. In the urban areas it was 20,6 percent (males 31.6
per cent and females 9 per cent) and in the rural areas 3.1 per cent
(males 5.4 per cent and females 0.6 per cent).

According to the 1961 Census 23.19 per cent of the total popu-
lation is literate; the percentage for males and females being 23.94
and 11.46 respectively. This percentage is far above the State average
of 15.20 and slightly below the All India average of 24. The literacy
percentage for Bikaner City was 21.8 ( 33.3 for males and 9.6
females ) in 1951, and 39,52 in 1961 ( 52.28 for males and 30.88 for
females) but is the lowest as compared to that of any other city. in
the State of Rajasthan, The percentage in urban and rural areas has
increased to 39 (52,1 for males and 24.7 for females) and 11.58
(18.8 for males and 3.49 for females) respectively.

' In 1951, the number of those who claimed to have passed the
middle school examination was 2420 (males 2026 and females 394)
and that of matriculates was 2523 (males 2315 and females 208) those
having passed the intermediate numbered 543 (males 495 and females
48) and graduates were 2308 (males 2213 and 95 females). There
were 103 post-graduates (90 males and 13 females). Qualified teachers
numbered 62 (54 males and eight females). Those having degrees in
Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary and Commerce numbered six,
six, three and eight (all males) respectively- in all 23. The number of
graduates in law and medicine was 97 (96 males and one female), and
43 (34 males and nine females) respectively. According to the
Census these figures arc as follows :

350

RajasthBn District Gazetteers—BIkaner

Males

Females

Total

1. Literate without
educational leva 1

53497

20863

74360

2. Primary or Junior Basic

14100

4435

18535

3. Matriculation

6967

873

7840

4, Technical Diploma

5. Non-Technical Diploma

101

6. University Degree or Post-
Graduate (other than technical)

1827

214

2041

7. Engineering

—

8. Medicine

9. Agriculture

—

10. Veterinary

—

11. Technology

12. Teaching

EDUCATION OF GIRLS

The first girls school, namely. Lady Elgin Girls School, was
established in the year 1898 in Bikaner City, The next step towards
female education was taken by opening Nobel’s Girls School in 1927,
a tnique institution of its kind in Rajasthan, providing educational
facilities for the daughters of the Rajput Chiefs and nobles of the
erstwhile Bikaner State under strict purdah. To meet the increasing
demand, more and more girls’ schools were opened in quick succession;
city Kenya Pathshala in 1930, Soorsagar Girls School in 1932, Girls
School at Barahgawar in 1934, Soongiri Girls School in 1936 and
Rani Bazar Girls School in 1942. Public interest further helped the
opening of Jail Pathashala in and it was followed by Bhairon
Ratan Matri Pathashala. Mahila Mandal and Mahila Jagriti Parishad
wcre started in 1947 and 1949 respectively with the aim of awakening
interest in and promoting social education among girls and women.
Maharani Sudarshan College for women started in 1946, opened the
doors for higher education for girls.

The first Girls Primary School outside the city of Bikaner, was
opened at Deshnoke in 1928. It was followed by the opening of
Primary Schools at Napasar in 1930, at Naukha in 1945, at Lfdasar
in 1945, Udramsar in 1946 and at Kalu in 1948, After the formation

Education And Culture

351

of Rajasthan and the adoption of five year plans, the number of such
institutions continued to grow slowly but steadily. On the launching'
of the Democratic Decentralisation Scheme, Panchayat .Samitis be-
came custodians of Primary Education in rural areas. This resulted
in the transfer of 16 girls primary schools located in the rural area to
their control. At the close of the Third Five Year Plan, besides the
institutions maintained by the Panchayat Samitis, there were one
Degree College, three Higher Secondary Schools, one High School, 16
Middle Schools, 35 Primary Schools and one B.S.T.C. School exclu-
sively for women education.

The growth of v/omen education in the district after the forma-
tion of Rajasthan, has kept pace with the growth of education as a
whole. The number of educational institutions has increased but the
number of students has increased faster. The number of students was
2164 in 1948, it has increased to 11584 in 1960-61, and 16913 in
1965-66. Out of these 359 were studying in College for general education,
474 in professional colleges, 25 in Colleges for Special Education, 1609
in Higher Secondary Schools, 21 in Secondary Schools, 5344 in Middle
Schools, 1289 in Junior Basic Schools, 7767 in Primary Schools and
25 in Special institutions,

ADULT EDUCATION

In 1948, 13 Night Literacy Centres were started by the erstwhile
State of Bikaner. A literacy campaign was also launched on a State
wide scale in which students and teachers took active part during
summer vacations. To propagate the cause of Adult Education a
separate section of Adult Education in the Education Department
under the Deputy Inspector was established. The Sta^e was divided
into three zones, namely Bikaner, Ganganagar and Rajgarh. Each
zone was put under the charge of an Adult Education Organiser and
by the end of 1948, 70 adult education centres were established. Thus
23 centres with an average number of 20 students in each, started
functioning in the district. The State Adult Education Department
further collaborated with other social service organisations like Mahlla
Jagriti Parishad, Bitcaner and Mahila Mandal, Bikaner to encourage
adult education among women.

After the formation of Rrijasihun two Social Education Organi-
sers were posted, one each at Bikaner and Deshnoke in 1950, to
implement the suggestions of Shri Salig Ram Pathik of .Allahabad,

352

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

The key note of his plan was to take one High or Middle School as a
Centre for the organiser who, with the help of the adult students of
that school would take up adult education in five villages within a
radius of five miles of the town. The Adult Education Centres hitherto
in existence, were closed as the new scheme started from the second
quarter of the month of August, 1950. As this scheme could not
come up to expectations it was soon abandoned, and the old Adult
Education Centres were revived. Three Centres were restarted in the
district at Bikaner, Naukha and Udasar, with the headquarters at
Bikaner which was later shifted to Naukha.

With the establishment of Development Blocks under National
Extension Service, adult education received a new impetus. Not only
many new adult education centres were opened but Recreation
Centres, Youth Clubs and reading rooms were also set up. After
the democratic decentralisation in 1959, the Panchayat Samitis
are entrusted with the task of organising adult literary classes and
undertaking allied social education activities. By the end of 1960-61 a
total of 245 Adult Literacy Centres were working, 1 1 Recreation Centres
were organised, 67 Youth Clubs were opened and 31 libraries and
reading rooms were established under the programme. The achieve-
ments during the period 1961-62 to 1965-66 include the establishment
of 24 libraries, 35 women associations, 610 adult education centres
(where 5391 adults were educated) and 104 youth clubs.

THE BHARAT SCOUTS AND GUIDES DISTRICT
ASSOCIATION, BIKANER

The Boy Scouts’ movement in the district received momentum in
1921 when the State Association for Scouts and Guides was established.
The first District Association was formed at Bikaner in 1938
and the number in the succeeding year 1939-40 was 15 groups with a
strength of 1085. The Bikaner District Association was split into
three local associations, namely (1) Bikaner Urban Area (2) Bikaner
Rural Area and (3) Naukha Mandi for Naukha tahsil. The number
of groups in 1948-49 was 30 with a strength of 1743. The strength in
1965-66 was as follows :

Groups

Strength

Scouts

3,516

Guides

1,188

Total

4,704

Education And Culture

353

NATIONAL CADE! CORPS

With a view to instil a sense of discipline and promote qualities
of leadership among the students, one troop of 90, Junior Division
National Cadet Corps was organised in Bjkaner with Sadul High
School, Bikaner as Centre, in 1951. The strength of groups during the
years to 1960-61 to 1965-66 was as follows :

Year

N. C. C.

groups

Boys

Girls

Boys

Girls

Boys

Girls

1960-61

350

360

135

3960

660

1961-62

393

124

450

135

4200

720

1962-63

600

100

500 ■

150

2120

180

1963-64

600

100

450

150

2300

3<0

1964-65

1600

182

500

150

2340

180

Senior

Division

Senior

Division

1965-66

2027

1331

—

The organisation is directly under the control of 5th Rajasthan
N.C.C. Battalion, Bikaner.

CULTURE

Bikaner School of Painting

Nothing at present is known of painting in Bikaner prior to the
Muslim conquest of India. A number of crude drawings on poor
paper, the oldest of which may belong to the reign of Rao Kalyan Mall
correspond to the local style of painting. A local school of painting
positively emerged in the times of Rai Singh, which later acquired a
high level of perfection ofthcartof Central Rajputana of Dhundhar
(Jaipur), Murwar (Jodhpur) and Mewar (Udaipur). Its beginnings arc
represented by a set of painting of Kalidasa’s Meghduta but its
maturity as art is exhibited by Rasikpriya-a set of 54 illustrations
influenced by the Gujarati-Rajput style; and a large set of the Bltaga-
v«ra Parana consisting of sixteen pictures of Usha-Charita, and the
other set of Rasikpriya comprising 21 illustrations and associated
with the art of Dhundhar (Amber).

Some illustrations in a Gita Govmda manuscript in the
Lallgarb collections, Dur£a-Sapta$arl manuscript in the Anup Sin^

354

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— 'Bikaner

Sanskrit Library and an illustrated manuscript of the Satsai of Behari
Lai court poet of Jai Singh of Jaipur dated 1647 in the collection of
Maharaja Mandhata Singh, belong to the early Mughal School of
Amber; while a set of Bara-masa (twelve months) may be regarded
as the last representative of the old Bikaner School, and the miniatures
painted by, Hamid Ahmad, son of GuHu resembles ‘Basolli’ paintings ■
of Himachal. The Mughal style was adopted during the rule of Karan
Singh and Anup Singh who attached Mughal Painters to their retinue
and the masterpieces of Nathu Ram and Hamid Ruknuddin, Rashid
and Ustad Mohammad are its examples.

The position, however, seems to have changed in the comprehen-
sive pictorial work of Rasikpriya and Bhagwat Burma of which 187
beautiful miniatures and 87 illustrations respectively, have been
preserved. The Rasikpriya was begun by Rukn-ud-din and was
completed by a number of his assistants, Muhammad Ustad, Bag,
Lutf, Nuri, Nur Muhammad, Gulu and Hasan, son of Ustad Ahmad.
The combined efforts of these Muslim artists created a work of genuine
Rajput vintage. Their paintings represent the combination of Mughal
and Rajput ideals and spirit of classic Hindi poetry.

The years after Anup Singhi’s death saw a cultural revolution.
He was succeeded by two minors, Sujan Singh and Zorawar Singh,
whose mothers acted as regents. While young, Sujan Singh was
under terrific zenana influence and thus painting became a
mirror of zenana life. Though innumerable miniatures were
produced yet the quality declined. Most of these pictures are small
and almost neurasthenic. Even most of the religious pictures represent
the mythological imagination of the Zenana gods and goddesses like
dancing girls in fancy dress, pretty, fashionable, but not comic symbols
and visions. In these circumstances, the story of Radha and Krishna
came again into favour, specially the story of Krishna’s childhood,
boyish pranks and dalliance with the milkmaids of Gokul.

During the early years of Gaj Singh, Mughal influence became
dominant. The paintings of Ustad Shah .Muhammad Abu Rezo,
Ustad Abu Quasim, Hasan Mahamud, Ustad Abu Mahmad and Ustad
Muhammad, are the best examples of bis times. The Mughal style,
however, began to loose its influence after Gaj Singh’s visit to Jodhpur,
Jaipur and Nalhdwara, in 1765. After 1780, the Rajput style
exhibiting the mystic romanticism of Radba-Krishna, attained its

Education And Culture

355

maturity during the reign of Surat Singh at the turn of the 191
Century. The best examples of which arc the lateral doors of t c
Anup Mahal. The quality continued to fall since the first decade o
the 19th Century, and the attempts neither of Maharaja Sardar Singh
to decorate Gaj Mandir nor of Dungar Singh to get Sardar Niwas
decorated on the lines of Cfaandar and Anup Mahals, could resist t
continuous decline of the art.

Literature

During the reigns of Maharaja Rai Singh and Maharaja Karan
Singh, the State extended their patronage to learned persons an
institutions. Rai Singh himself composed Rai Singh Maiots
scribed a commentry on SripatVs Jyoiish Ratanmala an t
ascetic Jankimala completed his commentry on Shabdaveda un g
reign. Under the patronage of Maharaja Karan Singh, Ganga * an
Maithli composed Kavya-kakini and Kama Bhusan Bhatt Hosi a '
posed Karan-vaiansa, and Mudgal completed Karanastosh an o
minor compositions. The court of Maharaj Anup S'ngb. hnns=ll

litterateur and the author of Am,p Viveka. Kama Prabodlu Shradha-

Prayoga-Chintamani and the commentary on Gila Govinda,

Anupodaya, not only attracted but sheltered a large number of schola
and artists. Under his liberal patronage art and literature

on an unprecedented scale in the history of Bikaner and a large num
of Sanskrit works were cither composed or completed, ^ J'
Jvoti-pattisar by Vaidhyanath Suri. Anup Vilas and Anup i yavalmr Saga
by Mani Ram Dixit. Ayut-laksha-homc-kati Prayog by Bhadra Ram
Tirathatankar by Anant Bhatta. Panditya-darpan by S'vctamb r
Udai Chandra, and Bhava Bhatta, Sangitrai. the son of Sangiu-
charya Janardhan Bhatt, the famous musician of the court o
Shajahan composed his works on music, namely, Sangit Anup an- usj,
Anup Sangii Vilas, Anup Sjngit Ratnakar, Nasthodhsta-Prahodhak.
Dhropat Tika. A number of works on various subjects, whose author-
ship is attributed to the Maharaja Anup Singh, were also compiled.
cspUially Sanatan-Kalpa-Lata, Chikitsa-Maitimala and Sangrah-Ratan-
• mala on medicine, Anup Ratnakar and Anup Mahodadin on astronomy,
Sangit-rartaman and Sangiianurag on music; Laxmiaarain-StuU
and iMxminaram pujasar on the Vaishnava worship and am i
Sadashiva Stuti on the worship of Shiva and Kauiuka Sarodwar on

humour.

356

Rajasthan District Gazetteers—Blkaner

The other notable achievements during the reign of Anup
Singh include Mahaslianti by Ram Bhatta and Shanti-Sudhakar by
Vidya Nath Suri, a commentary on Dharm Shastra, Kerali Suryya-
rtmasya by Pantuji Bhatt, Amril Manjari by Hoshing Bhatt and
Shubh-Manjari by Ambika Bhatt on medicine, Sangit Vinod of Bhava
Bhatt and Sangit Anupoddesliya of Raghunath Goswami, Kama
Prabodh of Janardhan, Dash- Kumar Prabandh of Shiv Ram and
Madhyvya-Karika of Shanti Bhatt on polity and ethics; and a number
of treatises on the art of worship include the works of Nil-Kanth
Ram [Bhatt, Vidya Nath, Shivanadan, Damodar Trilok and Saraswati
Bhatacharya, The Maharaja equally patronised Rajasthani and
got Shuka-Sarika and Vaital-Pachisi and other works composed,
Alakhiya Sampradayi also contributed significaulty to the literature.

The dialect of Rajasthani spoken in Bikaner is an off shoot of
Bagar Apbhransha. A movement for propagation of Hindi was
launched by the intelligensia under the leadership of Pandit Krishna
Shankar Tiwari, during the reign of Maharaja Ganga Singh who
recognised Hindi as the official language of the State,

Bikaner played a leading role in the creation and development
of the bardic poetry in Rajasthan which includes the floating mass
of bardic literature tying interned either in the houses of Cbarans,
in temples and maths, or on the lips of roaming ministrels. The
works of Bitha Suja, a Charan who composed Chhanda Rao Jait
Singhro and of Prithvi Raj Rathor, the brother of Raja Rai Singh
of Bikaner, and one of the leading poets at the courts of Akbar the
Great, inspired Rana Pratap for heroic resistance against the Mughal
Emperor. In tne domain of Dingla, Krishna Rukminiri Ri Veli famous
epic romance and ‘Dyal dass khyat', the bed rock of all subsequent
histories of Bikaner, are the notable achievements. Among the
modern writers the names of Laxmikumari Chundawat, Agar Chand
Nahta, Murlidhar Vyas and Mai Singh, deserve mention.

Among the modern poets in Rajasthani are Bharat Vyas,
Kanwar Chandcr Singh, Bithu Gopi Dan, Murlidhar Manauj and
Gajanand. Chander Dev, Meghraj Mukul, S.K.L. Goswami and
V.S. Pathik are the progressive Hindi poets whose compositions

For details about Alakhiya Sampraday audits founder Lalgir sec Alakhiya
Sampraday, Chandradas Charan, Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Shodh Pratisthan,
Pikancr, |964,

Education And Culture

represent originality of expression and poetic fervour of renascent
India. The Urdu poetry of Mohammed Adllah Bedi is Characterised
by simplicity of diction and delicacy of thought.

libraries and other institutions

Annp Sanskrit Library

Maharaja Anup Singh (1669-1698) who was himself a litterateur
and a great lover of Sanskrit established a library in Bikaner fort
for the preservation of manuscripts and other rare and valuable
books collected by him during his campaigns in the Decan. The first
and Second fasciculus of the catalogue of Sanskrit manuscripts was
brought out in 1945 and 1946, and the other manuscripts were also
catalogued in 1946-47. It is admittedly one of the finest and best
known collections in India and consists of about ten thousand
manuscripts in Sanskrit, Hindi and Rajasthani and is now the personal
property of the Maharaja of Bikaner.

The King Emperor George V Silver Jubilee Library

The King Emperor George V Silver Jubifee^Li^ary _^s
founded on 1st March, 1937 and was declared-; open /'to" the public
in 1938. It was shifted to its present •■buijdingjri"' September, 1954.
At present it is one of the five governmental * regional libraries" in
Rajasthan, and has a branch library, \locatcd' 'in" 'Daga-Buifding,
K.E.M. Road, Bikaner. It contains 384 q!^ ;^ .book s on va rious subjects
and subscribes 136 periodicals and newspapers.' ' The- 'number of
members is 994 who borrowed 25286 books from the library. Its
moving section maintained 109 collection centres and have 2064
members and the section for children claia s 294 members on its roll.

Shri Gun Prakash Sujjannlaya, Bikaner

Shri Gun Pjakash Sujjanalaya was established in 1901. It is
inside the KoteGatcin the midst of the most thickly populated
area of the city and as such it is easily accessible to a large number
of persons. The average number of daily visitors and readers is
approximately 1 400 and 54. It contains 11000 books and subscribes
60 newspapers and periodicals.

Shri Abhaya Jain Granthahaya, Bikaner

Shri Abhaya Jain Granthalaya was founded by Seth
Shnnkcr Dan Nahata to ccmmcmoratc the memory of his deceased

358

Rfijasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

•son, Abhaya Raja in Sambal 1977 (1920 a.d,) It contains more
than 5000 books and manuscripts on various subjects, written mos y
between the thirteenth and nineteenth century, Panchangs for t e as
300 years and firmans of a number of Rulers for the last 400 years.
In Samvat 1984 (1927 A. d.) Shri Abhyaya Jain Granthmala, (senes)
was started and 25 books have so far been published under this senes.

Shri Ram Krishna Kutir, Bikaner

Shri Ram Krishna Kutir was founded in October, 1949 .ny a
•group of devotees under the inspiration of Swami Japananda to
propagate the message of Swami Ramkrishna Paramhansa and Swami
Vivekananda, The library contains 4545 books and subscribes 40
magazines and newspapers. It has so far published 10 books,

Gandhi Shanti Pratishthan, Bikaner

Established in 1956 as Gandhi Adhyayan Kendra, it is known
as Gandhi Shanti Pratishthan since January 1966. It is run by Gandhi
'Shanti Pratishthan, New Delhi and is recognised by the Education
Department of Rajasthan Government. It has 2500 books on d fferent
subjects especially on Gandhian philosophy. The institute subscribes
nearly 60 journals and newspapers. The reading room is attended by
approximately 125 readers everyday. The institute aims at organising
various literary activities with the help of educational institutions and -
Social organisations especially to propagate ideas of Gandhiji. The
' institute has successfully organised several programmes every year, ^

i f'/'C /

Sa^ol Rajasthani Research Institute, Bikaner

It was founded on November 12,. 1944 by Maharaja, Sadul
.Singh of Bikaner with K.M. Pannikar, the then Prime Minister as
jta first Rector, to organise and carry out research work in modern
.Indian and Oriental literature. History, Oriental studies and Indology.
,^Thc Institute has so far published 25 books and nine volumes of Rajas-
thcin Rhartii its research magazine. The institute has established two
chairs namely, 'Maharaja Kumbha Asan’ and Maharaja Prithivl Raj
Asan’ an every year invites some eminent scholar to read an essay
on Art and Literature. The institute also celebrates Maharaja Prithivi
Raj Jayanti and L. P. Tessitory day. It has compiled an exhaustive
Kosii^an'd Mtthavara Kpsly of. Rajasthani language. It poss^-
Ss?s abopt 20QO bpoks,

Education And CultUi'd

359

Rajasthan Gyanpitb, Bikaner

Established in 1923 as ‘Rajasthan Sahitya Pith’, it was reorgani-
sed as ‘Rajasthan Gyanpith’ in 1967. Principal aims of the pith include
collections, study and publication of old Rajasthani literature and folk
literature besides research studies. Important divisions of the pith
are collection, publication and research. Several Ph. D. scholars hlso'
have utilised the material available at the pith and availed themselves
of the guidance by senior staff members.

Hindi Vishwa Bbarli Shodh Pratishthan, Bikaner

Run by Hindi Vishwa Bharti, the pratishthan is recognised by
by the Education Department of the State and associated with Rajas-
than Sahitya Academy, Activities of the institute .can be placed in
these two categories.* Sanskrit 'and Rajasthani. In the former studies
relate to Vedic and Pauranik literature, philosophy and theology arc
carried out while in the latter relate to folk-literature, unknown saints
Vani (words) and Rajasthani poets.

Shri Sangeet Bharti, Bikaner

The institute was established in 1956 and recognised by the
Education Department of the State in the following year. The institute
is run in a rented building. In 1964 the institute was recognised for
B. A. Examinations of music. The institution receives 60 per cent aid
from the government. The staff consists of full-time and part-time
music teachers. There arc 48 students on the rolls of the institute.

Shri Bhartiya Vidya Mandir, Bikaner

Shri Bhartiya Vidya Mandir was founded on August I9, 1948
to accelerate educational activities and encourage research work through
the medium of Hindi, Rajasthani and other languages. It is a public
institution managed by an executive elected by its general body. It
imparts instruction for the various examinations of the Hindi Sahitya
Sammclan Prayag and Rashlrabhasha Prachar Samiti V/ardha. The
Mandir also runs night classes (since 1948) for the benefit of those who
have to earn their livelihood during the day. As many as 7415 students
have benefited by these night classes during the last 18 years. It also
man.nges the Pancha Mukhi Siksha Sadan (since 1949) which imparts
education to children through modern psychological methods of educa-
tion, There are 243 children (3 to 14 years) in the school. The children's
park outside Nathusar gate was started in 1960. A research centre in 1957

360

Rajasthafl District Gazetteers — Bikaner

was established under its auspices which is recognised by Rajasthan
Sahitya Academy, Udaipur. The centre has 418 manuscripts and 647
rare books and subscribes 16 research magazines. It has so far
published six books on Rajasthani Sahitya. Other two volumes are
in press and five are ready for press.

Mabila Mandal, Bikaner

The institution was established on August 15, 1947 by Shrimati
Gulab Kumari Shekhawat, Smt. Saraswati Devi Mohata and Smt.
Ratan Devi Dhamani with the aim of promoting education among
women, and to make them self-supporting by training them in useful
arts and crafts. Started with a humble beginning, the institution is
now humming with various activities, which primarily include the
running of classes upto matriculation as well as Prathama and Madh-
yama at various centres in different localities in Bikaner city, namely,
Barh Guwar, Sunaro-ki-Guwar, Jassusarwas, Hanuman Hath and
Damani Guwar. The Mandal maintains a child welfare centre, runs a
Bal Bari and a production centre where training in tailoring, embroi-
dery and other handicrafts is provided. The institute is also running a
ladies co-operative society namely, Bikaner Mahila Girls Udhyog, for
selling articles of domestic consumption. The Mandal has been imple-
menting a programme of adult education for women, sponsored by the
(Central Social Welfare Board, and has adopted a scheme of its own to
complete the courses from the beginning to the High School classes
tvithin six years.

The managing committee of the Klandal consists of 15 members
elected by the members. It is significant that only women can become
members of the managing committee, as active membership is open to
them only, though patrons may be of either seje.

Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum, Bikancf

This museum was opened near tbd Lfillgarh Palace on the Sth
of November, 1937 on the eve of Golden Jubilee Celebration of Maha-
taja Ganga Singh and was shifted to Gahga Niwas, inside the fort, after
a period of 10 years and 4 months. Maharaja Kami Singh created a
truit for the construction of the presettt building- (civil lines) which
Was declared open to public on the 4th of September, 1954. Principal
sections of the museum arc : J. Maharaja Ganga Singh Memorial Sec*
IjoBj 2. Local Arts and Crafts Section, 3. Historical Scctiod^

Education And dulturc

361

4. Archaeological Section, 5. Armoury, 6. Miniature Paintings and
Folk-Arts, and 7. Lithoprints of the British Interpretation of War of
Independence, 1857.

Furg\l (Silk Robe)- 1596 a.d. of the Emperor Jahangir— It is
one of the proudest acquisitions of the Museum. The Ftirgal was
presented by the Crown Prince Salim (afterwards Emperor Jahangir) to
Raja Rai Singh of Bikaner, who was one of the highest Hindu Gene-
rals of the Mughal army. There are repeated inter-woven figures of a
body and a girl in Persian style throughout the piece surrounded with
floral designs, in red, green and yellow patterns. It is said that the
piece of cloth was prepared in the special Karkitanas of the Shah
of Persia.

Historical Mughal Farmans— The history of Bikaner contains
a colourful record of war adventure. More than half a dozen of
Bikaner Rulers lost their lives while participating in the Imperial cam-
paigns of Mughals, Various Farmans bearing original Imperial seals
issued by the Emperors Jahangir, Shahjahan, Aurangzeb & Shah
Alam, are preserevd in the museum, and which have a bearing on
Indian History and are of great use to research scholars.

Paintings — There is a vc>y beautiful collection of Rajasthani
paintings of almost all the Schools of Rajasthan such as Bikaner, Bundi,
Mewfir, Jaipur, Jodhpur etc.

Terracottas — The tnuseum has got one of the finest collections
of terracottas in India. These terracottas belong to the early Gupta
period and were discovered in the year i9l7 by Dr. L. P. Tessitory
from the ancient»-thcris of Rangmahdl, Badopal, Pirsultan-Ri-Theri
between Stiratgarh and Hunumangarh in Bikaner Division. These
tbferis arc still older and go slight upto Mohanjodero civilisation. Some
of these sites are considered the oldest ih the whole of India. It was
in this area that the sacred river Saraswnti is. believed to have flown.

Saraswat! Jain (Il-12lh Cent. a. d,)— This unique piece of
marble image of four feet eight inches in height, discovered from village
Pailu (Bikaner Div.) is a pearless c.xamp!c of Indian scultpure. Its
grace and pose, the charming perfection of its anatomy smile of
beautitude and the liquid seftnfss of its dr« 3 my eyes, defy pen.

362

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bika ner

Nartaki-Dancer (10-1 Ith Cent. A. .d.)— This beautiful one foot
high Jain bronze image was discovered recently from a large sand-dune
of Amarsar village in tahsil Sojangarh (Bikaner Division).

Lacquired Work — Bikaner lacquered work with its charac-
teristic style has attended high reputation not only in India but abroad
also. This work Is entirely idone by the artisans called Ustas (Ustads)
on wood, metal, glass, stone, leather and estrich egg. Well known
lacquered kiippis of camel hide aie peculiarity of this art in Bikaner
and are in great demand in foreign countries. A good number of such
kuppis, an object of Bikaner art, have also been sent to China and
America through the Emporia of the Government of Rajasthan.

Wood & Stone Carving — Bikaner stands almost unsurpassed
in wood and stone carving work. A carved teak wood table and a
wooden casket in the museum are the attractive specimens of modern
art with elaborate carvings. The sharp and deep , grooves showing the
mid-ribs of leaves carved on them, are simply marvellous. On the
other hand Bikaner artisans skilfully .prepared a model of Gajner
Palace (Bikaner), a typical Ekka and a Chariot with minutest details.
These are masterpiece examples of Bikaner art displayed in the
Museum.

Shankar Dev Nahata, Kala.Bhavan, Bikaner

Shankar Dev Nahata, Rala Bhavan was established, in Samvflt
1999 (1942 A. D.) and is located in upper portion of the building of
Abhaya Jain Granthalaya. It has a good collection of paintings and
painted . cloth-sheets, statues, coins and terracotta.

Botanical and Zoological gardens

There is a small Zoo, located inside the publip park .in the .city
.of Bikaner. It has a Lion, a Tiger, Leopards, Sloth-bear, Wild pig,
.Wolf, Jackals, Porcupine,. Spotted , deer, black buck, Chinkara, Sara-
.bhar. Blue Bull, Hare, Monkeys, Corcodiles and various kinds of
birds, such as budgerigars, parrots and parakeets hawks, owls, ducks,
flamingoes, the Great Indian Bustard and dilTcrent varieties of
pigeons.

Education And Culture

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CHAPTER XVI

Medical and public health services

EARLY HISTORY

THe Ayurvedic system of medicine was being practised from'
very early times in the district. With the Muslim conquest of India
came the Unani system of medicine in the country but Hakims
could not penetrate into the rural areas and their practice remained
confined mostly to the city. Besides, there were other practicising'
quack surgeons known as Jarrahs, very poor and ignorant set of men
bandaging fi actured limbs. The Jain priests who also practised the
aft of healing depended mostly upon the Amrit-Sagar, an abridge-
ment of Susruta’s treatise on medicine. The Pansaris or druggists
prescribed medicines based wholly on their limited experience without
any study of the science of medicine. People also put their faith in
a number of ascetics, devotees, old women and clever charlatans who
claimed to drive out disease by potency of charms.

The Ayurvedic system of medicine provided for effective
treatment of a number of diseases and made use of several chemicals,
herbs and metallic preparations, such as impure calotriel, pure
corrosive sublimate arsenious acids, sena cassia fistula, suipher,
mercury, opium, musk, castor, herbs and roots of certain plants.
Jarrahs sometimes successfully incised wounds, and operations of
cataract were performed by travelling oculists who inherited the skill
from father to son and carried on the hereditary occupation. Obste-
trics and diseases of women were attended to by midwives and dais.

The Bikaner State first became acquainted with the European
system of medicines in I84S when Dr. Coleridge was called upon to
take medical charge of Sardar Singh son of Maharaja Ratan Singh.
Coleridge not only attended on the ailing prince but also began to
be consulted, at first by other members of the Rulers’! faniily, and '
later, by the people in power and pelf, and the general public who
could approach him. Coleridge has recorded that to enable him to
stock medicines the Maharaja made a grant of 600 to 800 rupees
per year, which was later increased to a thousand rupees for purchase

[, Bj-l'cw StCK Aijrrini^lrtitlcn Repcifi. t£S3-5S, rara p,

366

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

of the medicines which were dispensed to those who required them.
In the beginning people were naturally skeptical of the efloacy of
medicines, entertained various prejudices against their composition,
and were reluctant to use them. Gradually, however, their worth
began to be appreciated, and many more people began to consult
him and take advantage of the medicines prescribed by him, so much
so, that during the later part of his stay in Bikaner, Coleridge claims to
have rendered medical aid to 600 to 1,000 persons a month.i After his
departure in January 1869, the working of dispensary managed by him
came to a stand still, and thereafter according to a letter dated 2.jl.l864
from Dr. Coleridge quoted by Erskine, as no place was earmarked
for the dispensary, as such a regular hospital was opened in 1870,

Later, a small hospital was attached to the Central Jail, and
these were the only two allopathic hospitals in the entire State till
the end of 1885, when allopathic dispensaries were opened at Reni
and a few other places of the State. These instititutions continued
to grow and more dispensaries were established in the area now
comprised in the district. Two more dispensaries were opened; one
in the city and the other was attached to the palace by the end of
1891. One hospital was set up at Bikaner in 1901 for the exclusive use
of the imperial Services camel corps. New dispensing institutions
were established by the government of the former State of Bikaner.

Their number increased from 14 in 1887-88 to 46 in 1935-36, and 48
in 1947.

The following comparative statement of Medical personnel and
patients treated, gives the idea of progress made from 1887-88 to 1947:

1887-88

1935-36

1947

Number of Doctors

Patients

Outdoor

Indoor

Operations

78708

1734

397281

4710

' 546873

19571

Major

Minor

Expenditure

337

5135

32,398

1791

24848

2,44,196

2638

36129

10,93,748

1. '^<^s)cioe. K.T>., Ra/piitana Gazelleer, Vo!. HI A,
gnd tl;e Sikpner A^cpcy, 19p9, pp. 376-377,

The Western R&jpiu^na I^esldenej’

Medical and Public Healtfa Services

367

Administrative Set-np

Till 1910 A.D. the State Medical Department was under the
charge of the Civil Surgeon of Bikaner who was attached to the
Political Agent at Bikaner. Though his salary was disbursed from
State coffers yet he was not under the administrative control of the
State a,uthorities. The expenditure on the maintenance of the whole
department was incurred by the State but recruitment, postings,
transfers etc, of the medical subordinates were entirely controlled by
the Chief Medical Officer in Rajputana, with his headquarters at
Ajmer. The inevitable result was that the subordinate medical
officers considered themselves wholly independent of the State, and
displayed a regrettable lack of co-operation with State Officers, with
the result that efficiency and discipline suffered alike. This problem
as a whole was discussed at a conference at Mount Abu in May, 1910,
and it was decided at this conference that the State should have a
self-contained Medical Service of its own. Consequently the State
Medical Department was organised and placed under the charge of the
Principal Medical Officer, Bikaner. It was manned entirely by medical
personnel in the exclusive employment of the State,

On the formation of Rajasthan the administration of the then
existing Medical Department was placed under the Director of Medical
and Health Services, Rajasthan. The district administration was
entrusted to the District Medical & Health Officer, who now supervises
and controls all hospitals and dispensaries except the Associated
Group of Hospitalsi in Bikaner city, which were placed under the
charge of Principal Medical Officer, Bikaner. The District Health
Officer, Bikaner is responsible for adopting preventive measures to
check diseases and epidemics and in particular supervises the Primary
Health Centres in the rural areas.

VITAL STATISTICS

The registration of births and deaths first commenced in Bikaner
city in 1866, and in other towns in 1896, but the records remained
incomplete due to the indifferent attitude of the citizens in notiJy'ing
these occurrences to the authorities, as is evident from the percentage
rate figures. This is indicated by the fact that the death rate per

1. Prince Bijay Singh Memorial Men's Hospital. Prince Bijay Singh Memorial
Women's Hospital, and Ganga Golden Jubilee Tuberculosis Hospital, arc
Included among the Associated Group of Hospitals in Bikaner city.

368

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

1000 reported in 1920-211 was 18.45 but it was 2.9 only in 1940-41,
while the birth rate for the respective years has been reported to be
11.13 and 23.8, These large fluctuations can be ascribed only to
incorrect and faulty reporting. Figures of birth and death rates for
Bikaner city only are available for the post- 1953 period. They are
tabulated as follows® ;

Year

Birth rate*

Death rater

1954

21.7

11.3

1955

22.6

12.1

1956

19.5

12.5

1957

21.1

10.6

1958

21.4

10,4

,1959

18.0

10,4

I960

24.0

10.1

1961

10.5

7.6

1962

17.2

7.5

'1963

17.0

6.1

1964

15.8

7.7

1965

12.6

9.2

.1966

17.1

7.3

conclusions from these figures

sboB. thattbcpopulation’of^ho silv hLi” °

10 per 1000 every year On the aPP'^oximately by

in population for tL period 1951 IPoV^’ variation

is only 29.56 for the district and 28 6? r

population cannot be corelatcd with thTsc f “
deduced that population is increasing rapSy.

1- SH-aner State Administration Report 7920-21

years

Rates per 1000 of mid-year cst/ntatcd hopulatTom

Medical and Public Health Services

369

Causes of Death

According to the Reports of Directorate of Medical and Health
Services the causes of recorded deaths from 1957 onwards, are as
folio wsi ;

Cause

1957

1958

1959

1960

1961

1962

1S63

1964

1965

1966

I. Small Pox

237

170

2. Fever (Malaria

& other)

136

158

144

138

171

156

142

160

170

133

3. Dysentery &

Diarrhoea

112

144

127

124

4. Respiratory
Diseases

293

268

332

325

328

269

234

249

262

5. Inj'uries and

suicides

278

6 . Other causes

723

717

661

756

572

626

606

634

806

701

These figures show that respiratory diseases are the main causes
of death, followed by malaria, other fevers, dysentery and diarrhoea.

Longevity

According to the 1961 Census, infants aged upto 4 years, formed
16.7 per cent, those aged between 5 to 14 formed 27.8 per cent,
and persons betwee 15-34 formed 34,3 per cent, those aged
35 to 54 were 16,7 per cent and those aged 55 or above, formed
5.6 per cent of the total population. The high proportion of children
under 14 years of age, that is 51.0 per cent of the population, is under-
standable in the area where births far outnumber, deaths, and the
population is increasing rapidly. While no conclusive estimate of
longevity can be drawn, the sharp drop in the percentage of those
above 35, and the small percentage of those aged over 55 indicate that
expectation of life is rather low. This is because the people arc generally
under-nourished. The vast majority being poor, cannot afford a balan-
ced diet. The other reason lies in the arid nature of the tract and

1. MJastUin Statistical Abstracts from 195S to 1967.

370

Rajasthan District Ciazetteers— Bikaner

its extremes of temperature. Life is extremely hard in the sandy tract
and the people are engaged in a constant struggle for survival. Para-
doxically, the rigours of the climate keep them relatively free from
common diseases while aging them rapidly. This picture is likely to
improve with economic development and higher standard of living.

COMMON DISEASES

The following table shows the number of persons suffering from
certain common diseases treated at the various hospitals and dispensaries
during the year 1965-66.

Tuberculosis

2897

Syphilis

Typhoid

529

Malaria

Rheumatic fever

Cholera

Dysentery

4540

Guinea worm and other

Infectious diseases

3106

Respiratory Infections

9742

Influenza

Pheumonia

1108

Bronchitis

4317

Diseases of Genital Urinary system

7610

Diseases of Pregnancy and Child Birth

8044

Diseases of skin

17769

Congenital mal formations

Diseases of Early infancy

155

Accidents and violence

20093

Poisoning

Diseases of Eye

—

Trachoma

991

Inflammatory disease of eye

11676

Cataract

1321

Digestive diseases

10800

Gastroenterities ■

1307

Medical and Public -Health Services

371

The most common diseases are those of the respiratory tract,
their incidence being very high in the cold winter months. It is primarily
due to the extremes of temperature. The winter is very cold and at
many places, temperature sometimes, falls below the freezing point.
Owing to the dryness of the atmosphere, nature of the soil and lack of
vegetation, the change of temperature from day to night is sudden,
large and trying. Eye diseases, particularly inflammation and trachoma
are prevalent owing to the blowing of winds for most part of the
year, carrying particles of sand from the sand-dunes. People generally
•take raw, unsafe and untreated drinking water which has given rise to
numerous complaints of the digestive tract, most common of which
being dysentery and diarrhoea.

Vaccination

An effort was made to introduce vaccination in 1860-61 but on
the remonstrance of Dr. Coleridge, no work was done. Regular vaccina-
tion programme was started in 1881 when one man performed 108
successful vaccinations. At the time of the merger of the erstwhile
State of Bikaner, there was only one vaccination centre in Bikaner city.
The number has increased to eight, four in Bikaner city under Govern-
ment control, and one each at Napasar, KolSyat, Lunkaransar and
Naukha under the control of Panchayat Samitis. These centres have
succeeded in checking the incidence of small-pox by a wide-spread
vaccination programme. During the year 1965, 14207 primary vaccina-
tion and 49124 re-vaccinations in all 63331, were performed.

The anti-T.B. Campaign is conducted through itinerant teams
of B.C.G. Vaccination. In the first round in 1954-56 a total of 60047
persons underwent the tuberculin test and 1 7505 were vaccinated. In
the second round during the years 1958-62, 29401 persons were tested
and 13227 vaccinated. In the third round in 1963, 39446 persons
were tested and 30732 vaccinated. In 1964, 3224 were tested and
3224 vaccinated. In 1965, 23223 were tested, 5982 vaccinated and 7669
v.'cre directly vaccinated. In 1966, 72925 were tested and 22754 %verc
vaccinated. This disease is now under control and is not so common.

An anti-malaria unit, with headquarters at Bikaner was estab-
lished in 1958 under the National Malaria Control Programme. Dur-
ing the year 196.5, 139382 houses (729SS in the first round in 397
villages and 66394 in the second round in 371 villages) were sprayed
with dichloro diprenye tricholorocthacc.

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— BIKanw

Epidemics

Cholera outbreaks in 1891-92, 1896-97 and 1899-1900 claimed
more than 4000 victims. Plague, though in existence in India, spared
the State of Bikaner until February, 1918 when it claimed 1735
deaths throughout the region. Its second visitation in March, 1922
accounted for 45 deaths. Influenza outbreak in the autumn of 1918
was pandemic and killed over 60000 persons within six weeks it lasted.

Small-pox was the most fatal and used to cause considerable
mortality in former days, but the virulence of the disease has been
successively reduced by vaccination. Its severe outbreak in Bikaner
city in 1924 carried away 429 souls. Since then the district has been
free from any epidemic.

HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIESl

There are 14 government hospitals^ and 11 government dispen-
saries besides 4 Primary Health Centres in the district. Some of
them are described below :

Prince Bijai Singh Memorial Men’s Hospital , Bikaner

The General Hospital in Bikaner city was built during the mino-
rity of Maharaja Ganga Singh, Within few years it became evident
that this hospital was incommodious and unsuitable. A new opera-
tion theatre provided with modern equipments was added to it in
1907. Despite the establishment of separate women’s hospital in
1914, the General Hospital remained over-crowded and in due course
became outdated. It was decided to construct two separate self-
contained hospitals for men and women with accommodation for 137
and 170 beds respectively: In March 1937, these two new hospitals
were completed at a cost of Rs. 14,41,612. The General Hospital had
its own X-Ray apparatus, Pliysio therapy department for Diathermy,
Electric 'massage, Ultra Violet treatment, a Pathological and Bacteriolo-
gicallaboratory and an anti-rabic centre. It was shifted' to the new
building in 1937 and was renamed Prince Bijay Singh Memorial Men
Hospital. Since then the hospital has added new departments and

1. Details are given in the Appendix t.

2. Distinction between a hospital and a dispensary has been made on the basis of
jn-paficnt beds; a hospital has beds where fis a dispensary has non?(

Medical and Public Health Services

373

wards with increased facilities. In 1965, the bed strength of the hosph
tal.was 327. It has separate wards for each department: for Paediatrics
six beds, Ear, Nose and Throat 24 beds, ophthalmology 47 beds and
Venereal diseases 10 beds. It has also a Dental Clinic and an Anti-
Rabic Centre. The same year a Mental Hospital with thq bcd strength
of, 25 was; also attached to it,

The staff consists of 38 doctors (incloding eleven specialists),
91 compounders, 28 nurses, one matron and 13 sisters.

Prince Bijai Singh Memorial Women’s Hospital

In 1913-14, a well-equipped Zenana hospital was built at the
capital at a cost of Rs. 50,413. It was replaced in March 1937 by
the newly constructed Prince Bijay. Singh Memorial Women’s Hospital.
Originally it had accommodation for 107 beds, but in 1965 its total
strength was raised to 350 beds. It has separate wards for
Pediatrics with 62 beds. Eye and Isolation with 10 beds each.
Ear, Nose and Throat with 21 beds and maternity 47 beds. The
staff comprises of 12 doctors (including one specialist), 10 com-
pounders, 32 nurses, 3 midwives, one matron and six sisters.

Ganga Golden Jubilee Tuberculosis Hospital, Bikaner

The Ganga Golden Jubilee Tuberculosis Hospital was complet-
ed at a cost of Rs. 188,715 and started working on the 1st February
1940. It has 152 beds. The staff consists of 5 doctors (including one
specialist), six compounders, two nurses and one matron.

Police Line Hospital, Bikaner

It has a total bed strength of 4. The staff of the hospital con-
sists of one part-time doctor and compounder.

Military. Hospital, Bikaner

To meet the requirements of the armed forces of the former
State of Bikaner, the Sadul-Military Hospital (now-Military Hospital)
was opened in February 1914. It was thoroughly reorganised and
equipped in 1935-36. On the integration of State Forces with the
Indian Army, it was taken over by the Government of India, ft has
a total strength of 25 beds.

District Jail Hospital, Bikaner

It was established in 1$S2, to cater exclusively to the needs of

374

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

convicts and under trials in the Jail and the Jail staff. It has

strength of 11 beds, and one doctor and two compounders are in-c ^
of the Hospital.

Railway Hospital, Bikaner

It is meant exclusively for the railway employees and is
tained.by the Northern Railway. It has only two indoor be s an
the staff comprises three Doctors, four Compounders and a Dai.

Northern Railway Hospital, Lalgarh— It is maintained by
the Northern Railway for its employees and its bed strength is six
only. The staff consists of two doctors, three compounders and a dai.

Government Hospital, Gajner — This Hospital has only six
beds for indoor patients and is served by a doctor, a compounder
and a mid-wife.

A. P.' Hospital, Pogal — It has two beds only and the staff
consists only of a compounder.

Other hospitals in the district are at. Deshnoke, Palana, Ganga-
shahr and Bikaner (City Dispensary No. I). Details about these are
given at the end of this chapter in appendices I and III. Besides these
hospitals, T. B. patients are treated at two places in the district.

Primary Health Centres

Primary Health Centres' are opened at places recommended by
Panchayat Samitis. They work in collaboration with the Panchayat
Samitis but are placed under the administrative control of the District
Medical and Health Officer.

The main features of the Primary Health Centres do not
consist in the treatment of various diseases but in their prevention,
popularisation of family planning and arranging mobile medical services.
Each centre is equipped with a medical van for the purpose of providing
medical aid and advise, both preventive and curative, in the area of the
project. ‘Vaccinators and other sanitary staff of the Panchayat Samitis
arc placed at the disposal of the Medical Officer of these centres.

There are four Primary Health Centres in the' district started at
Haukha gnd Kolayat during the Second Five Year Plan, and atNapiisar

Medical and Public Health Services

375

and Kalu in 1963 and 1965 respectively. The details of these Primary
Health Centres are as follows :

1. Primary Health Centre, Naukha — The Centre has a bed stren-
gth of 13. An Anti-Rabic Centre is also attached. The staff consists of
a doctor, a compounder, 4 auxiliary health workers and four nurses.

2. Primary Health Centre, Kolayat— U has a bed strength of
six; The staff consists of a doctor, three compounders, one lady
health visitor, one sanitary inspector and four midwives.

3. Primary Health Centre, Napasar — Its bed strength is six.
Anti-Rabic Centre is attached to it. The staff consists of a doctor, a
compounder and 4 auxiliary health workers.

4. Primary Health Centre, Kalu— It was started in 1965
with a bed strength of six. It is served by a doctor, a compounder
and a nurse.

During the year 1966, maternity and child welfare facilities were
available at the following places in the district.

1 M C.W.C., Bikaner. 2. M.C.W.C., Gangashahr, 3. Mohta
Maternity Home, Bikaner and 4. M.B.F.C. Temani Maternity Home,
Bikaner.

Besides, family planning centres have been set up at City Dis-
pensaries, Nos. 1 and 2, Bikaner Gangashahr, Kolayat, Napasar, Lan-
karansar and Naukha, In addition to these centres, a Mobi c Family
Pianning Surgical Unit is located at Bikaner to popularise the ideal of
family planning and the use and distribution of contraceptives.

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

All the government allopathic hospitals and dispensaries of the
district, except the Associated Group of Hospitals, arc under the
administrative control of the District Medical Officer, Gangashahr
The Associated Group of Hospitals arc supervised by the Principal
Medical Ofiiccr, Bikaner. The following tabid shows (he services ren-

dered by these institutions :

1. Source ; St&tistkal Abstracl, R&jastbir. yearly volumes.

376

Rajasthan District 'Gazetteers— ‘Bikaner

Year

Indoor patients

Outdoor patients

1957

13020

307913

1958

11734

298137

1959

12688

351863

1960

13974

385253

1961

14040

393278

1962

14412

409515

1963

16520

.418990

1964

15700

122536

1965

20209

424984

1966

21944

439958

Medical and Health Personnel

According to 1951 Census there were 878 persons (679 males and
199 females) employed in the Medical and other Health Services in the
district. Besides, there were 61 independent medical workers (44 males
and 17 females). According to 1961 Census, the various categories of
personnel, both private and public engaged in. the Medical and Health
Services, both in rural and urban areas, was as follows :

Total Area Urban Area

Categories of personnel both S

private and rublic engaged in « S 75 « "o —

Medical and Health Service £ >5 § 5 I S

2 iJL,

1. Physicians & Surgeons

(Allopathic) 86

2. Physicians (Ayurvedic) 135

3. Physicians (Homeo-

■ pathic and others)

4. Dentists

5. Nurses

146

6. Nursing Attendants &

'Related Workers

7. Pharmacists

8. Pharaceiitical

Technicians

252

9. Other Medical and

Health Technicians

132

105

109

•3

’ 60

140

‘9

246

238 .

244

■20

Rural Area

4-4
26 - 26

25 1 26

- 6 6

1 - 1

8 - 8

2 5 7

Medical ana Public Health Services

ill

*frict^lV726 ,-f,lf°T > <0 1721 for (he

The rural the urban area and 1 to 4579 in the rural area

—ve, oh^

Research Centres

ciapter^onM (details of which are given in the

P ■ n Education) there is one Public Health Laboratory at Bikaner,

indigenous system of medicine

in the Ayurvedic system of medicine had its roots in the Vedic lore
offln,, course of time it developed, independently

shad/°!?^^ medicine, into a mighty banyan tree giving

an7V vvithered

me to make further progress in research and on funda-

and V ^ ‘^oi^cepts resulted in its stagnation. The art of surgery

of th anatomy suffered a progressive decline, partly because

th prejudice against the dissection of dead bodies, and of

e eJief in the inviolability of ancient tenets on medicine, to-Which
ivine origin was ascribed, and to question theirfadt’horrtyr^as con'sir
^ ered sacrilegeous and profane and partly becauSe't>?,thljjh’nfo^&s miide
m its domain by Western Medical Science and''s^ufgery.^j5urX^i^^
system of medicine continued to flourish. un''the-'IradTtiqn’'^,bbund rpral
3reas and under the patronage and pWteCtioi).^bf the State jmrT the.
wealthy calsses in this district. Despite<thc intrqduction-of (he nflopd-'
thic system of medicine, it is still widelj:;^faeiicvcd that flic indigenous
system of medicine is better suited to our' tern pcrriruff'clifn ate. The
Governjjient of the former State of Bikaner had established Ayurvedic
dispensaries at Pandnn and a number of other places in the Slate in
1930-31 and sanctioned grant-in-aid to Mohta Pathshala Bikaner, to
revitalise the system. Out of the six dispensaries established in 1930-31
only one at Panebn was located in this district. The number of Ayur-
vedic aushdhalayas has since been increasing. Thus at . the beginning
of the First Five Year Plan, there were three Ayurvedic, dispensaries in
the district; their number increased to 14,25 and 40 in the year 1955-56,
I9C0-61 and 1965-66 at the close of First, Second and Third Five Ycat
Plans respectively. The work in the Aushadhnlayas or Ajurvcdic
dispensaries is supervised by the Ayiincdic Inspector stationed at BTl;a-
i5er. There is also one Unani dispensary in the district manar.ed by ;i
Voidya. The location of most of these institutions and the number of
patients treated in each in 1965-66 are given in Appendix 11.

Rajasthan District Ciazettcers— cikbiici

SANITATION

In the rural areas where the climate is dry but healthy and .the
population scanty and scattered, sanitary conditions are lar better
than in the wetter and less sparsely populated parts of the State. In
recent years, under the community development programme, efforts
have been made to make the streets free from garbage. With the esta-
blishment of Panchayat Samitis in 1959, steps were taken to improve
sanitation by employing sanitary inspectors, watermen and sweepers,'
Construction of sanitary latrines, drains, smokeless chulhas, etc. have
also been undertaken.

The maintenance of proper sanitary conditions in the urban
areas is the primary responsibility of municipalities at Bikaner, Ganga-
shahr, Bhinasar and Naukha. They employ staff like, Jamadars, Bhish
ties and Sweepers for the maintenance of proper sanitary conditions.
(The details of the sanitary arrangements in urban areas of the district
are given in the Chapter XIV entitled Local Self-Government).

WATER-SUPPLY

Piped water-supply is available at Bikaner city only where the
water is filtered and- chlorinated. Elsewhere, steps have been taken to
improve water supply by disinfecting wells, and in some cases by cover-
ing them. In a very large number of villages the shortage is so acute
that people drink it from any source of supply without demur provid-
ed it is not unpleasant to taste. For improving water supply, 91 wells
and 66 Kunds (small tanks for storing water) were constructed and 293
wells and 176 tanks were repaired at the total cost of Rs. 24,00,000
during the First and Second Five Year Plans. These measures resulted
in increasing and improving water-supply to a considerable extent but
the problem is to great to be tackled in a short period and without
large amount of expenditure.

The underground water is the main source for improving water-
supply for drinking and other purposes. Generally it is found at 91
metres (300 feet) below the ground level and its column is only seven to
eight feet deep, so the wells worked by power-driven machines are the
most suitable means to meet water scarcity in the district. During the
Thi d Five Year Plan a number of water-supply schemes were completed
to meet the problem of shortage of water-supply. The details of these
schemes arc as follows ;

Medical and Public Health Services

3/y

S. No. Name of the place Approximate cost of the

scheme in rappees

1 .

Panchnn

1,63,00C

Sarunda

76,70C

Berasar

76, IOC

Kalu

10,000

Lonkarnsar

lO.OOC

Deshnoke

3,26,000

Naukha

2,65,000

8. ■

Jasrasar

1,58,220

Kakra

1,13,100

10.

Surpura

1,00,000

11.

Rasidas

2,29.000

12 .

Dcsalsar

1,25,000

13.

Bersingsar

2,00,000

11 .

Udairamsar

15,8,00

15.

Koliiyat

—

16.

Ncpiilsar

1,10,200

17.

Sinthal

1,68,000

18.

Ramsar

40,000

19.

Gangashahr

6,40,000

20.

Bhinasar

2,67,000

21.

Mabajan

88,000

22.

Kanolai

45,C00

23.

Udasar

1,50,000

380

Rgjastlinn District Gazetteers— Bikaner

S.No. Name of Dispensary

2 1

Safe
c

o- 5 *—

D 2 Q

1. City Dispensary No. II, Bikaner 1 2 1 -

2. Fort Out-door Dispensary, Bikaner 19-1

3. Infirmary Dispensary, Bikaner 1 1 - -

4. E.'S I. Dispensary, Bikaner 1 1 - -

5. Govt. Dispensary, Napasar - 1 _ -

6. Govt. Dispensary, Palana 11-1

7. Govt. Dispensary, Lalgarh 12-1

8. Govt. Dispensary, Hemmatsar - 1 - -

9. Govt. Dispensary, Gaudiyala 1 _ _ _

10. Govt. Dispensary, Lunkaransar _ Iv _ -

11 . Aid-Post Dispensary, Kalu

Technicians

meoicai ano Heaitii s?rvip?g

Appendix II

Details of Ayurvedic Aushdhalayas in the district

S, No. .

Location

Patients treated in 1965-66

POgal

2683

Mill Ss at

8303

Sintal

14229

Chhatargarh

1678

Kesardesar

7741

RSmsar

12037

Sattasar

2964

Khajuwala

779

Jhajhu

7531

10.

Akasar

3184

11.

Khindasar

4346

12.

Blkampur

2916

13.

Vijja Barju

2674

14.

Guda

2078

15.

Barsalpur

3920

16.

Bithnoke

2015

17.

Siana

270

18.

Panchon

12525

19.

Kakora

15783

20.

Jasrasar

12285

21.

Jaisingasar

8722

22.

Bcrasar

18021

23 ,

Kaku

4171

24.

Dcslasar

4525

25.

Janglu

11445

26.

Rasisar

7009

27.

Kuchor Athuni

11886

28.

Sarpura

5307

29.

Badhnu

7963

30.

Gondusar

14096

31.

Mahajan

25760

32.

Jctpur

10002

33.

Mahadeowaii

.5119

34*

Karnlsar

3967

35.

Shaikhsar

8135

382

RSjasthan District Gazet’teers-r-Bikarier

Appendix III

Patients treated in Government Hospitals,' Dispensaries and Primary
Health Centres in 1966

S. No.

P.B. M. Men’s Hospital, Bikaner
P.B.M. Women’s Hospital, Bikaner
G.G.J.’P.B. Hospital, Bikaner
Polics Line Hospital, Bikaner
District- Jail, Hospital, Bikaner
City Dispensary No. 1, Bikaner
Govt. IJospital, Gajner
A.P. Hospital, Pogal
City Dispensary No. 2, Bikaner
Fort Ou,t-door Dispensary, Bikaner
T.B. Clipic,- Bikaner
Infirmary Dispensary
E.S.I. Dispensary, Bikaner
Government Dispensary. Deshnoke
Government Dispensary, Gangashahr
Government Dispensary, Napasar
Governipent Dispensary, Palana
Governipent Dispensary, Lalgarh
Government pispensary, Hemmatsar
Government Dispensary, Gadiyal
Govermpent|Dispensary, Lnnkaransar
Aid-Post Dispensary, Kalu
Primary, Health Centre, Napasar
Primary. Health Centre, Kslu
Primary Health Centre, Naukha
Primary Health Centre, Koiayat
Railway Hospital Bikaner
Railway Hospital, Liilgarh

M n- - private

" .Charitable Dispensary, Bikaner

No. of Potents

74,982
48,081
1,094
3,055
3,511
71,222
5,832 ,

1,564 ’
51,203
38,771
2,500 „ : •
Not available
Not available
19,235
30,693
12,343
16,540
8,798
4,514
3,588
6,147
5,804
33,610
5,794
36,281
4,354
2,64,858
1,49,268

19,782

18,724

CHAPTER xyn

OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES

Labour .Welfare

The welfare of the working classes both inside and outsidd- thc
factories has now become a major concern of the modern ' welfare
State. The erstwhile State of Bikaner had adopted the Trade Disputbs
Act of 1931 with the object of keeping peace in the factories;! Ai,
there is still no large scale industry located in the- district,:, the
provisions of, the various ameleorative labour lawsi relating to working
conditions, wages provident fund, insurance, accident, sickness and
maternity benefits, etc, are not applicable to' workers of small'
scale registered industrial establishments employing approximately
6000 labourers. As such there is no statutary obligation ,'o’n
private employers to provide amenities to labourers..: The ■ only
exception to the general reluctance of the employers to look after tli&;
welfare of their employees, is Bikaner pypsum Bikaner, whose manage-;
ment ntns a club, organises indoor and outdoor games, maintains . a
canteen and a ration shop and provides maternity and other medical
benefits to. .its workers. Similar facilities are also extended by the
railway management to its labour.- All these measures together . have
resulted in increasing wages, providing improved working conditions,
alTording better opportunities for employment of labour and more
amenities of life to the labourers and the members of their families.

Organisational Set-Up

Thc,Rcgional Assistant Labour Commissioner, Bikaner is in
charge of all welfare activities in the Bikaner Division comprising the
districts of Bikaner, Churn and Gangfinagar. He is assisted by two
Labour Inspectors, one of whom helps him in supervising the activities
of welfare centres, and other in enforcing labour laws. ■

1. Tlie provisions of the followlnr, lawsc arc enforced in the district ;

Shops and Commercial Iistabtishraents Act. 195S

2. Indian Factories Ac*. t9H£

3; Minimum NV.'igss Act, 1948

4. Pavmcnlof Wapes Act. 59a&

5. Fmplovmcni of Children Act. 19if>

6. irmpiovecC Trovident l un-J Act. J952

7. rmplo'-ces* Stale Ir.surnnec Act. 1943

S, Workmen's Compensation Act. 192.'

9. Matcrhity Benefit Act, 1923

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— -feikaner

The labour welfare activities sponsored by the State Government
aim at stimulating the morale of labour by helping them to raise their
standard of living through subsidiary means, to re-orient tneir
psychology by widening their mental horizon through education, and
to give them a zest for life by providing facilities for games and sports,
music and other means of entertainment. To achieve these objects, the
Government of Rajasthan have opened the following welfare centres in
the district, namely,

1. Government Labour Welfare Centre, Bikaner.

2. Government Labour Welfare Centre, Jamsar.'

These centres organise various welfare activities. Each centre is
provided with a staff consisting of games supervisor, a lady tailor, a
music master, a lady supervisor and five peons.

Prohibition

Not being a dry district, iquor and bhang can be consumed
without any restriction, except liquor in public to avoid creation of
nuisance. The possession and use ' of ganja and charas is 'strictly
prohibited while opium is supplied to the addicts on ration cards on
medical grounds but a quarterly reduction is made in their quota. This
step has helped in reducing the open consumption of opium. There
are 21 licensed vendors selling liquor, 6 sell bhang and one sells
opium.

The following table shows the extent of consumption of
intoxicants in the district from 1958-59 to 1965'66L

Year

Country

spirit

(litres)

Opium

(Kg.)

c cx eo

C3 to

Imported
spirit wine
(litres)

Imported

beer

(litres)

Indian
made sprit
(litres)

Indian
made beer
(litres)

1958-59

50,224

412

. - -

4,092

283

377

21,590

6,726

1959-60

62,730

100

—

3,994

347

177

22,038

9,190

1960-61

59,139

3,033

17,684

—

1961-62

16,755

3,840

—

10,699

1962-63

1,01,945

"4,084

15,365.

1963-64

2,02,682

58,987

5,271

12,101

1964-65

1,29,994

—

4.655

12,104

1965-66

1,12,788

20,208

4,703

253

12,575

15,029

1. Sltaisiical Abstracts Rajasthan, yearly volums for various years.

Other Social Services

3S!>

The consumption of liquor and bhang has increased partly as a
result of the non-availability of opium and consequent change of
habits. The district has no distiHery but illicit distillation is carried on
in certain villages on a small scale.

Social Welfare of Backward Classes and Tribes

According to 1961 Census, the total population of the Scheduled
Castes and Tribes in the district was 65,982 persons (33,923 males and
32,059 females) and 1,034 persons (539 males and 495 females)
respectively. The Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes put together
formed 15.07 per cent of the population of the district.

The male population of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes formed
7.40 and 0.018 per cent respectively in the urban, and 19.81 and 0.23
per cent in the rural areas, of the total population in the district. The
corresponding percentage for females is 7.56 and 0.15 in the urban and
20.72 and 20.21 in the rural areas.

According to the 1961 Census the Scheduled Tribes consist
predominanely of Minacommunity which formed 96.3 per cent of the
total strength of the Scheduled Tribes. Bhils and others (being classified)
formed 1 and 2.7 per cent only. Among the Scheduled Castes,
Meghwals are in majority and formed 54 per cent of the total Scheduled
Caste population. The other important communities including Thoris
or Nayak, Bhangi and Chamar, arc 16.5, 7.7 and 7.3 per cent
respectively. The other small communities include the following

castes :

Balai

Kanjar

Bawaria

Khatic

Bhand

Koli

Dabgar

Majhabi

Dhankia

Mchtar

Dhcda

Nut

Dome

Sansi

Gandia

Sarbbangi

Garoor or Garura

Sargara

Gavaria

Stnphswal

Jingar

Tirgar

Katbdia

Vaimiki

Kamad

386

Rajasthan ujstrict Gazetteers—Bika^net

Persons belonging to Scheduled Castes and- Tribes ate mainly
engaged in agriculture, cattle-breeding working as labourers and
carrying on the occupation of tanning of hides and skins. Because of
the traditional restrictions under which .they formerly lived^ and
their being mostly illiterate, they are backward and poor. Those
residing in border areas have to face the shortage of nvater and food
besides rigours of climate. To ameliorate • their socio-ecojiomic
conditions the Social Welfare Department has taken various measures,
which have been described below :

Hostels & Boarding Houses

To provide opportunities to such students as belonging to
Sdreduled Castes or Tribes, who cannot ■ afford higher education or
travel long distance for the purpose, there exist three hostels for boys
and one for girls where all expenses-board, lodging, books .and^
clothes etc. are borne by the Social Welfare Department of- .the
Government. In addition to these hostels voluntary social organisations
are maintaining three hostels, getting 90 per cent of their total expenses
as aid from the' Government of Rajasthan

Mahila Sanskar, Kendra

To create a sense of self-hlep, mutual .co-operation and generally
to promote social uplift among women, a social education centre is
functioning at Bikaner since 1953 called Mahila Sanskar Kendra,-
Bikaner. ■ It provides instructions in tailoring, - embroidery and
handicrafts. .The average attendance of trainees is 35.,

Princes Cband Kunwar Orphange, Bikaner

It was established by Maharaja Ganga Singh to
perpetuate the memory of his daughter, Rajkumari ' Chand
Kunwar in 1920. It maintains and educates the helpless and destitute
children enabling them to, stand on their legs. At present it is run by
the Social Welfare Department and all expenses are borne by the
Government. The number of inmates during 1665-66 was 25. In
1966-67 its capacity to accommodate was increased to 40 inmates.

Industrial and Production Centre

To Improve the economic condition of the Scheduled Castes and
Tribes, industrial centres have been set up where every apprentice gets
a stipend of Rs. 15 per month during the training period and financial

Other Social Services

help not exceeding Rs. 200 is provided to each of them on the
completion of their training for the purpose of essential tools or equip-
ments to enable them to earn their livelihood, A shoe-making centre
has been working at Bikaner since 1955, where 15 apprentices afc
, annually trained at the cost of Rs. 40,000.

Other Measures

The Government of Rajasthan has reserved l2i per cent
'vacancies in Government service for the members of Scheduled Castes
and Tribes, In 1965-66 their number in the various services in the
' district was 157. Out of which 3 were gazetted and 100 subordinate
• officers, 28 belonged to the clerical cadre and 26 were class four
servants. To improve their living conditions, new colonies have been
constructed, which include a Hanjan Basti of 15 houses at Badoi
constructed in 1959-60 at the cost of Rs. 1 1,250, Mukta Prasad Bhangt
Basti of 50 houses in Bikaner at a cost of Rs. 37,500 in 1959-60,
Prabhudan Nayak Basti of 31 houses in Bikaner at a cost of Rs, 23,250
in 1958-59, a Bhangi Basti of 25 houses at a cost of Rs. 18,750 in
nauka in 1959-60, and a Bliaugi Basti of 14 houses in Desk noke at a
cost of Rs, 10,500 in 1960-61, Gadia L)lnr Biui of 6S houses at a cost
of Rs. 57,000 in 1958-59, Ranisar Basti, Bikaner of 20 houses at a cost
of Rs. 7,000 in 1955-56; Gangashahr Bhangi Basti of 59 houses at a cost
of Rs. 48,000 in 1962-67, Bhinasar Bhangi Bisti of 15 houses at a cost
of Rs. 15,000 in 1966-67 and Horijan Basti at Palilna of 50 houses at a
cost of Rs. 29,000 in 1956-57. Ten wells were constructed to provide
drinking water. Adequate measures arc also taken to provide them
light and w-atcr by the local bodies.

The aim of all such Government schemes is to bring the
backward sections of society at par with the rest. This is being
achieved by giving them free education, absorbing such of them as are
qualified into Government service, providing them living accommoda-
tion and other amenities of life, encouraging and developing cottage
industries and various crafts and rehabilitating the landless among
them by allotroeni of land. Changing times have awakened them and
they arc gradually becoming aware of their rights in its democratic
set up. This awakening had a sobering effect on the communities
higher up in social and economic ladder and they arc becoming
increasingly tolerant towards them. The advent of Independence in
1947 has proved a boon to the members of Scheduled Castes as it hac

388

Rajastbaa District Gazetteers — Bikaner

roused them to the awareness of their new dignity as free and equal
citizens of the State. The villages in this district are throbbing with
social and political consciousness. Shackles of caste and untouchability
are slowly but steadily, loosening their hold as is manifest from the
unopposed election of Meghwal to the State Legislature for two
successive terms.

Trusts and Charitable Endowments

Charitable endowments play a considerable part in the social
life of the community by starting, materially assisting and financing a
number of schools and colleges, hospitals, dharmashalas and other
institutions engaged in social services. The prominent endowments and
trusts in the district are given below :

(1) Seth Ram Gopal Goverdhan Das Mohta Charitable Trust,
Bikaner (created on 24th July, 1928 for helping institutions engaged
in social services). (2) Shri Bhairav-Ratan-Matra Pathashala Trust,
Bikaner instituted on November 6, 1943 for the maintenance of Shri
Bhairav Ratan Matra Pathshala. (3) Seth Bahadur Mai Jasakaran,
Sidhakaran Rampuria Trust, Bikaner created on March 18, 1933 for
the maintenanc of Jain College, Bikaner. (4) Seth Hira Lai Sobhag
Mai Charitable Trust, Bikaner created on December 13, 1948 for the
maintenance of H.S. Rampuria Vidya Niketan, Gangashahr.
(5) Musbmmat Jabbar Charitable Trust, Bikaner; instituted on March
15, 1943 for helping the institutions rendering medical and educational
service to women. (6) Mohta Trust, Bikaner cerated on October, 28,
1928 for the maintenance of Mohta Hospital to provide both Ayurvedic
and allopathic facilities of treatment, free of charge.

CHAPTER XVIII

PUBLIC LIFE AND VOLUNTARY, SOCIAL SERVICE

ORCANlSA¥inN!i;

Representation in Parliament (Lok Sabha)

' . . I ^ I ■ . , , , . , , ,,

Lok Sabha — In the First General Elections 1952, Bikaner ana
Churu districts (excluding the Churu. Rajgarh and Tariinagar ^ah-
siis), the NagaurtahSil {exoluding Nagaur, Mandwa and Khatu K.alan
police stations) and the Ladnun and Baldwa police stations of the
Didwaiia tahsils of the Nagaur district formed a single Parlia,mentar>;
constituency.! In a total electorate of 3,97,481 valid voles past ,wci;c
1,'87557. The seat was won by an Ir.dcpendenl candidate, who got
1,17,926 votes (the percentage of votes polled by. him,^ei,ng •62.9)„-Jhc
remaining three contestants, one from .thei .Congress,; one from the
Socialist Party and one from the Kisan Janatg,.j§ajnyukla .Party,
secured 54,227, 9,0l4 and 6,390 votes respectively. The last two lost
th'eir deposits.

At the. time of the- Second General ■ Elections 1957, Ih.e Tjarlia-
mentary constituency had been delimited again and was made a two
member conslitucridy (one thethber for general seat land 'the other, for
.Scheduled Caste seat). This double member constituency comprised whole
of Bikaner and Giinganagar districts and Churu district in part (exclud-
ing Sojangarh tahsil except eleven .villages-). In a, lota! electorate of
8,05,673; the total number of votes was 16,11,346 (being double mem-
ber constituency) and the number of valid votes cast w,as 6,.85,550 (42.5
percent)? The number. of contestants was,six3 out of. w’hoip tlij^jlndc-
pendent candidate (seeming 2,78,267 or 33.3 per cent votes) won the
^cncraT scat ' and the Congres 'candidate (Scheduled Ca'sta. securing
1,41,293 or 20.6 per cent Voles) v,’on the rcscr\'cd seat.*'

). The Daiimita.ijoo of f.-ifiiamsntary and Awnibly c{)a^ii{uency(Rt!jaqh.in) order
1951 ;p. 3,

2. BcUvuiaiicn of rar.stSuitr.dcs for Ucnercl Kkctlonr, ’Election DcrartfretU,
" Government of Ruiaitliao, 3957, p.3 and p,26. The ,oa,Ti?s of the eleven viStaper

,,, are Randh(snr,.Dh 2 tari. Joj^alia. . Jetatsr. Dh3dcru-?od.y.va!t5n; Dlnderubban-
bbuwan: Bidarar, Darifca. B.metba Umajl. Baneth,! JoijBia and Upad'iya." ' '

3. Rffor: or, (hi Srocr^ Grponil rjfctwrs to lidia. 19S7, Vol. 51 fStstKtkal }.
ticn Comniisvcn, In-dls, rp. !?4*1S5 j

390

Rajasthan District Ga 2 etteers — Bikaner

In the Third General Elections 1962, the Parliamentary consti-
tuency was again converted into a single member one and comprised
eight Assembly constituencies^, four located in this district and the
remaining four in Churu district. In a totil electorate of 4,68,948 the
number of valid votes cast was 2,51,586, (55.52 per cent) which re-
presented a rise of 13 02 per cent over percentage of valid votes polled
during the 1937 Elections. Out of the three contestants-two Indepen-
dents, and one Communist-one Independent candidate captured the
seat securing 1,76,590 votes.

In the General Elections 1967, the Bikaner Parliamentary consti-
tuency comprised eight Assembly constituencies viz., Bikaner, Chhaper,
Churu, Dungargarh, Kolayat, Ltlnkaransar, Naukha and Sardarshahr
(four of this district and four of Churu district). In a total electorate
of 5,51,193; 3,03,703 valid votes were cast. There were nine candi-
dates (all Independents) who contested this Parliamentary seat. The
seat was secured by an Independent candidate obtaining 2,15,636 valid
votes (or 71 per cent).

Appendix I gives detailed information about all the four Parlia-
mentary Elections which have been held in the district so far. No bve-
election has been' held for the Parliamentary seats of this district.

Representation in Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha)

In the 1952 State Assembly Elections, the district had three
constituencies, viz., Bikaner city, Naukha and Bikaner tahsil. In the
Bikaner city constituency, comprising the area covered by the Bikaner
city muncipality, there was a total electorate of 54,975. The number
of valid votes cast was 24,997 (45.5. per cent). Ten candidates contes-
ted the seat, which was won by ah Independent securing 5,095 votes.

In the Naukha constituency, comprising the Naukha and Magra
tahsils alongwith 25 villages of the Bikaner tahsil, out of 53,562 voters
on the electoral roll, 21,250 (39.7 per ’ cent) persons cast their votes.
Of the four contestants an Independent candidate won the seat by
seeuring 7,1. '8 (33.6 per cent) votes.

The third constituency named Bikaner tahsil constituency com-
prised the area covered by the Bikaner tahsil (excluding the Bikaner

1. DcUmltation of Constituencies for General Elections. Election Department,
Government of RfijasthSn, 1961, p.3.

iblic Life And Voluntary Social Service Organisations

391

.y and twenty-five villages of the Bikaner tahsil appended to Naukha
instituency for the election purposes) and the Lonkaransar tahsil.
he total number of electors was 49,427 of whom 21,776 cast (heir
»tes (44.1). Of the five contestants, an Independent candidate was
;cted securing 10,512 votes (51.4 per cent).

In these assembly elections, there were nineteen candidates for
e three seats. Independents (11) formed the largest group followed by
e Congress (3), the Socialist (2), the Jan Sangh (1), the Ram Rajja
arishad (1) and the Forward Bloc (1).

BYE-ELEcrriON IN 1956 — A bye-election was held for the Bjkancr
hsil constituency on 1st July, 1956 which had fallen vacant due to
signation of the representative. Three candidates— one from the
ongress, one from the Praja Socialist Party, and one Indepcndent-
intested the eleotions. Out of the total valid votes (15,432) the
jngress candidate secured 7,181 votes and was declared elected.

In the 1957 State Assembly Elections, (he district had three
instituencies, viz., Bikaner city, Ltinkaransar and Naukha.

In the Bikaner City constituency, comprising the areas covered
/ the Bikaner municipality excluding wards No. 9 and 10, there
as a total electorate of 46,352. The number of valid votes cast was
3,609 or 50.9 per cent which represented a rise of 5.4 per cent over
ic 45.5 per cent valid votes polled during the 1952 Elections. Seven
mdidates contested the scat, which was won by the candidate belong-
ig to the Parja Socialist Party,securing 12,089 votes (51.2 per cent).

In the Lankaransar constituency, comprising the areas co\’ercd
y Lunkaransvir tahsil and the Bikaner tahsil (excluding Bikaner
[unicipality and the twenU'-six villages of the tahsiljL there v.’as a
»ta! electorate of 44,550, out of which the number of valid votes cast
as 14,S95 (33.4 per cent). Of the six contestants, the Congre':s candi-
atc won the seat securing 4, 83S (32.5 percent; voles.

. B-tebasar, Sarupdesar; BarsinEpura. Palada, Lalamdcsat, Udra'ms.'.r SuiEndciar.
Dcsbaoke, Sujasar, Ambasar (Ghifotan Chahanani, Gigasar: Sardinna Cbc-
hanan; Satdhana' Padthatan, Jor Ikcr S.trScari, Bhojao SbiM R3ri;

Gar.gasbahr, Bhinnsir, ICcsirdetaf, Borsn. KcJnrdr-sar Oartgagvfrsj!, Kcs.tf-
des.ar Jaisin. RS.titsr, Siratsruni, Mundsiat and B-is?.

392

In the NaukhaconsUtuchcy'' comprising 'the i'reds covered

Nauhha and iClagra talisilsi some of thfe'villdges'’in the Bikarier t’ahsil,''

(excluded from the LtJnk'aransar constituency) and’ wards 9 and 10

of the '^vkaner municipality^ the tb’ta'l number of electorate was 89,965

and the number of valid * votes 'cast ’was 5'5,t)b8^ It whs a double''

jn?mber,C9nstituency having one general and the other reserved seat.

The total number of contestants was et^ht. 'Bqth the' seats were won

jby the Independent candidates securing 9,6,bo^vdfes\(i6.5 per cent) for

t4 aeheral seat and ^,094 votes''(18.3 per ■ceht)’,fo/'fhereseryed''seat. '

I, V (' -I i ... „ o-,.-,. ; !

In these General Elections for the Assembly, there were .twenty-
one candidates fbfthr'ee general seats and bhe reserved se!at,’'The In-
dependents' (14), formed the largest group ”of ckndidateS, 'followed by

the Cb'rigress"(43, the T’fdja Socialist Party"(2) and the Jan Sartgh (1).

•|.. o. I . i

Bye-Elections in 1960 1 i.

A"b'ye-elfe'ctidn''fbr’ 'Naulfha' cohstitueriCy was' hbld' dn'^29fh
August, 1960 due to the declaration of the elections as void. Out of
89,965 voters^ 33, 364*^ cast their Votes, ' tlie valitl votes totalling 32,097
or 31.2 per cent only. '*Tihere were 'four cdntestan'ts, the Congfesi
|Candidate vsfas declared elected having pcured 1^.901 votes.,.

In the Third General Elections, the double^imember ' 'constitu-
ency of 'Naukha was cohkituted into a' Single member' constituency
for the Scheduled Caste seat 'and 'aii additional constituenc;^ was
created. Thus, while the niimber of seats' remained four, the number
of constituencies rose from three to four, namely, Naukha, Kolayat',
Bikaner and Lonkat'ansdf.' '

* ' In the Naukha constituency, xomprising.the areas 'covered by the
Naukha tahsil and a few villages!, in Bikaner talisil, the total electorate
was 59,fi00 of whom 21,513 valid votes were -polled. , There were five
contestants for the scat -.which .was -.won by an -Independent, candidate
having secured 12,095 votes.

In the Kolayat constituency, comprising the areas covered by the
Kqlayat .tahsil (excluding Maganwala, Akalwala, Gulamwala and

1. Villages in Bikaner tahsil included in Naukha Assembly constituency were :
„ Deshneke, Kesardesar Dehran, Kesardesar Gangaguran. ftarosar, Mundsar and
Suraisinghpura. vide DeUmitaCian of Constituencies for General Elections^ 1961,

Election Deparlment, Government of Rajasthan.

Public Life And Voluntary Social Service Organisations

* “ * ' ' if' f

Bhatiy^an wala villages and hamlets of Barsalpur village), wards 9 and’
IP of the Bikaner municipality and a few villages in the Bikaner tahsiU’
the total electorate was 61,514; out of whom 28,0^9 valid vote's wei'e

■ t ' [•-♦I '• ,

pol ed. Out of the ten contestants the candidate of the Praja Socialist
Party was elected with 7,976 votes.

i .. ,Itv the BifeanQT Constitucncy„., 9 iOnapr,i,sing, the, area , covered by the
Bikaner municipality (excluding wards numijcring 9 apd 10), there were^
48,03^ voters,' of i\vhopj only ,29,07^8 valid votes, were.poUcd. Eigh|
candidates conteste,d.‘, the ^seat ,, of whom .the,, candjdate of, the Praja
S.ocialist Party was declared elected, wi.th 11,725 votes.

'The Lankaransar .'constituency ’ comprised the area included in
the Lankaransar tahsil and the Bikaner tahsil (excluding the Bikaner
ihuhicipality and ■ somc'bf the villages). -In an electorate of 61,432;
25,165 valid votes were cast.' ’There were' iseven contestants in all, and
the seat was won by the candidate’ of the Congress par-tyv securing
7, '783 vbfes.' ■ • •

, • Tn this, Election to the Assembly,, 30 .candidates contested for
four seats. The largest number of contestants was that of ,thc Indepen-
dents (18), followed by the Congress (4), the Praja Socialist (3), ihp
Jan Sangh (3), the Swatantra (1) and the Communist (1). _ I

In the Fourth’Cj'eneral Elections '^'(1967) ' also,' ' the district was
delimited into ' the four consliluencics viz., Blfcaner" ''KolayAt,
Lankaransar and Naukha. The ' Bikaner cohstltUericy comorised thi
Bikaner municipality excluding ' wards' 22, 23, 24 and’ 28 to 32.1’ Of
ii3,247 total voles, ohly 39, '651 valid votes \Vcfe polled. ’Tfic number
of cohiestarifs tvas' tWelVc out ‘ofthen'i one was' Congress candidate'^
one Communist (M), one Jan Sangh'; one' Praja Socialist and eight
(Independents. ' Thctscaf was .won hy the Congress candidate •securing
16,581 voles.

The Kolayat constituency was carved ' out of the arc.is- viz.,
Bajju revenue circle. Koliiyat revenue circle, (excluding patwar circle.:;—
AjAkkasar. S^Bholasar, 7-Jhaju and S-Siyana), Patwar Circles 13-
Godiyala, 16-Bikanptjr and H-Mandal Charnan, in Diyatrarjevcntie
circle ■ in- Kol.'jyat tahsil; Kalbadf revenue -circle (excluding patwar

' 1 . ’’jlSJasshin Gcrrife - Tsfr e'-ort'/rcf J.TiEicd Afn'l Pen V tD), r. 5.

2. ib!J.

394

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

circle 1 2-Napa3ar. 14-Tejrasar and 20-Ranisar) and wards 22,23, 24
and 28 to 32 of Bikaner Municipality. Out of 66,521 votes 33,077
valid votes were polled. The Congress candidate defeated his seven
rivals by securing 12,362 votes. The defeated seven contestants included
one candidate of the Swatantra Party, one of the Sarny ukta Socialist
Party and five Independents.

The Ltinkaransar Constituency was formed! of Ltinkarasar
tahsil, Pugal and Jamsar revenue circles and Patwar Circles ;
12-Napasar, 14-Tejrasar and 20-Ramsar, in Nalbadi revenue circles in
Bikaner tahsil. The total number of voters was 69,385 and the number
of valid votes 32,285. The Congress candidate won this seat defeating
nine candidates (one Swatantra, one Praja Socialist Party, one
Communist and six Independents) and secured 8,455 votes.

The fourth constituency (Naukha) compriseds Naukha tahsil,
Diyatra revenue circle (excluding patwar circle I3-Godiyala,
16-Bikampur and 17-Mandal Charnan) and Patwar circles; 4-Akkasar,
5'Bholasar, 7-Jhaju and 8-Siyana, in Kolayat revenue circle in the
tahsil of the same name. This constituency had a total electorate of
73,697 and total valid votes polled was 27,256. This seat was secured
by an Independent candidate who obtained 11,390 votes. The three
defeated candidates were one Swatantra, one Congress and one
Independent.

This election gave an opportunity to thirty-four contestants to
contest four seats of the district Their party aifiliations were ; the
Congress 4, the Swatantra 3, the Praj^ Socialist Party 2, the Jan Sangli
1, the Communists (R) 1, the Communists (M) 1, the Samyukta
•Socialist Party 1. Besides these, the largest number pf them was of
Independents who were 21. The results were in favour of 3 Congress
and one Independent candidates.

Appendix It gives the details of the Assembly Elections which
have been held in the district so far.

POLITICAL PARTIES

Congress Party

The Praja Parishad PartyS of pfe-Iridcpendence days was merged

1. Rijasthun Gazette - Extra-ordinary, dated April 23, 1966, Part V (D) p. 5.

2. ibid., p, 5.

3. The historical background of Praja Parishad has been mentioned earlier in

Public Life And Voluntary Social Service Organisations

395

into the Indian National Congress and was rechristened as the Bikaner
District Congress Committee after Independence.

The Praja Parishad in collaboration with the All India States
People’s Conference had followed the policy and programme of the
Indian National Congress with some adaptations to suit the special
conditions obtaining in the State. It had pleaded for the establishment
of responsible Government under the aegies of the Ruler. Having
been founded in 1942, it was the only political organisation which
agitated for the establishment of a Government answerable to the
people m the State. After 1946, its activities were extended to
sponsoring and participating in agitations launched for the redress of
the grievances of kisan%. Through platforms and press it also tried to
convince the Government of the State to grant more freedom of expre-
ssion to common man. Its activities in the Stale and outside,
compelled the then State Government to come to term< with the popu-
lar leaders for the formation of a popular Government in 1947.

The scheme that ultimately emerged and sanctioned by the
Maharaja, postulated a mixed Government, composed of equal
representatives of the people and of other vested interests like jaghirdars.
This Government of variegated political hues and opinion could not
run smoothly. In the meanwhile the Ruler decided to merge his State
into Rajasthan in 1949,

The District Congress Committee

The present District Congress Committee, as the rcpiescntativc
of the premier political organisation of the country fDllows..{ts
constitution. It has a President, Vice-President, Secretaries and a
Treasurer who arc duly elected. Its ramifications extend to lahsils
and villages which form the basic unit of the organisation. Tahsi!
committees form the Committee at the disirict level. Thus it is a
compact and %vell knit organisation and covers the entire population
comprised within the limits of the Bikaner district.

The p-irty contested nil the General flections except that it did
not pat up any candidate for the Parliamentary se.at in 1962 and 1967.

In Assembly cicclions it has been progressively improving its position;
it c.npturcd only LtJnk.aransar constituency in 1957 and retained it in
1962, but in 1967 As'-emldy ctcciioas, it captured three out of the four
scats allotted to the district.

..Raiasthan- District . Gazetteers —Bikan«

^rpja Socialist Party

The Party was fot'OTed ia the district ,in, 1948 under the, name
Socialist Party. At that time, a meeting of the General Council of the
Socialist 'Party- of India’ was 'held' at 'Bikaner;- iri -which imanyleminent
leaders of the party’ participated. At present with its new nomenclature
hi 3fia]a Socia'iSs’i ^any, ’A Aruw.dr'.

ihg to the constituencies* As there arc four, constituencies for- the
legislative Assembly in the district, four branches, have been organi*'
ied at Bikandr, Lnnkar^nsar, Naukhaand-Kolayat.

. This, party .could, secure,. one seat in the Assembly from the^
Bikaner constituency in the Sepond General ]E)ections for the , first, time.^
lin the Third General‘EI‘^ctions,.it secured two seats. It failed, however,
to capture, any. seat in.th*^ Fourth General Elections.

Communist Party

■1 , ... . ....

It was started .with ten members on 15th August, 1951. ^ In the

General Elections 1957, its candidate could secure only 6.8 per cent of
the total votes polled for'- the 'Parliamentary seat, while in the Third
General ’Elections it could secure only 5.4 per cent. These figures show
that'the party hasdittle W^al for the clectora.te and, whatever influence,
it possessed is on the decline. It-iC-ould not seeure any seat dn the

A'ssembly ip. 1962 and 1?67 elections aI?.Q.

(. ..

Bbartiya Jau Sangjh

The party was established in 19'51.’ '"{H’tlie-'. -different ’Assembly
Elections it'sectired 3,1 -per cent -votes ,in 195Z; 1.3 .per cent in 1957;
3'.7 per. cent. votes in 1962 and 5.3 per, cent votes in 1967 ip. the Vyho^e
district. It is • evident from these figures .that so. far the .p.arfy, .l^as
not' been able to-make.Uiuch headway in the political whirlpool, of tl^q
district.

Ram.Rajya Parisbad

The exact date uf its opening in the district is not known, U
contested one Assembly seat in the First General Elections and secured
18.2 per cent voles iri the Bikaner city coristitdency and 6.7 peV cent in
the district as a whole. This was' its first and last' entry iri'thc cledtibn
affray in the district. The parly' is more or less dcfuhbt now. '

.Swatantra Party

The party was established id India on 'the eve of Third General'

Public Life And Voluntary Social Service Organisations

397

Elections. The organisational pattern of the party is based on the
constituency delimitation. Each constituency area is further divided
into panchayat samitis which in turn are composed of village-wards.
In the third elections, for the Assembly seals, the party secured 8.1
per cent votes or 2.0 per cent votes in the district.

The following table shows the number of contestants party-wise
in the General Elections so far held for the Assembly:

Party

1952

1957

Years

1962

1967

Congress

Communist (Right)

Communist (Marxist)

*•9

Jan Sangh

Socialists

Ram Rajya Parishad

Praja Socialists

—

Swalantra

—

Forward Block

Independents

Total of District

The populatily of the various political

parties can be assessed

on the basis of their performance in

the last four Assembly Elections.

The following table gives

us the percentage of votes by each parly in

the district.

Percentage of votes

Party

1952

1957

1962

1%7

Congress

23.9

23.6

28.6

32.7

Communist (Rightist)

5.8

Communist (Marxist)

—

0.3

Jan Sangh

3.1

1.3

3.7

5.3

Swatantra

—

2,0

9.4

Samyukta Socialists

—

6.5

Praja Socialists

—

20.9

20.4

9.5

Ram Rajyn P.'trishad

6.7

Independents

66.3

54.2

39.5 '

35.3

Total

100.0

m.Q

100.0

398

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

The following table gives the electoral turnout during the four
General Elections in the district.

Percent Turn out

District/

State

1952

1957

Increase or
decrease in
vote conscious-
ness over 1952

1962

jnerease-*^ increaseor*

or decrease 1967 decrease in
in vote con- vote conset-

sci'obsness ousness over

over 1957 1962

Bikaner

43.1

42,0 '

-l.l

48.3

+6.3 , 51.74

+3.4

Rajasthan 38.2

41.2

+ 2,9

52.6

+11.4 58.19

+5.5

The table above is an indicator of the growing political
consciousness among the people and their keenness to utilise their
right to vote during the four general elections so far held in the area.

NEWS PAPERS AND PERIODICALS
In all 24 periodicaIsS were published from the district in 1967
and all of them are published from Bikaner city. Of these, I w a Daily^
5 are Weeklies, 6 Fortnightiies, 9 Monthlies and 3 Quarterlies! 18 are
published in Hindi, Sin Hindi and English (bilingual) and one in
Hindi, English and Sanskrit (multilingual). Some of them are not
regular in their publication. ,Brief particulars of the periodicals are
described below ;

Daily

Kalam — The only daily paper of the district, first published in
1966, is printed, at Shiv Printing Press, Bikaner. Priced at 5 paise per
copy, it covers news and current affairs. Shri Lalit Kumar Azad is its
publisher, owner and printer. Of the 2,000 copies printed, 1,571 are
sold, and the rest are distributed free of charge.

Weeklies

^ Cliuru Express - — This Hindi weekly was started in 1961 and is
printed at Lakshmi Printing Press, Bikaner by Shri Hazari Lai Tyagi
as its editor, publisher and'owner. It is priced at 12 paise and it gives
news of Jocai importance and current affairs. It has a- circulation of
l,006 copies.

I. Report on Gencial Elections, 1962, Election Department, RSja.stban, Jaipur, p. 67.
7. J^ourth General Elections - ./t Statistical Review, 1967, Election Department,

Rajastnsn, Jaipur, pp. 4,and 81,

3. Press in India, 1967, Part, 11, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- Government of India, New Delhi, pp. 625-63.

Public Life And Voluntary Social Service Organisations

399

.Lokmat — It is the oldest periodical of the erstwhile State, first
published in 1947 from Lokmat Karyalaya located in civil lines on the
hospital road in Bikaner city. Its founder, Shri Amba Lai Mathur,
continues as its editor, publisher, printer and owner. It is published
in Hindi and printed at its own press known as Lokmat Press. The
paper covers general information and local news and costs 19 paise.

Senani — The publication of this Hindi weekly was started in the
year 1950 from the Senani Karyalaya located in Pharon Ka Bazar,
Bikaner city, by its printer and editor, Shri Sekfaar Chandra Saxena.
Priced 20 paise, it covers local as well as news of national importance.
40 per cent of its 5i900 copies which are published are supplied free
while 60 per cent of them are solds.

Times of RTijastIwn—Shvi Abbey Prakash Bhatnagar is the
owner, editor, printer and publisher of this Hindi weekly published at
its own press, Times of Rajasthan Press, Bikaner. Priced at 15 paise, it
covers local news and current affairs of State importance. It claims
1,627 subscribers out of the 2,0 0 copies printed.

Vartman — First published in 1951, it is printed in Hindi nt
Maheshwari Printing Press by its editor, owner and publisher, Shri
Mangi Lai Mathur. ft contains general news of local importance and
other information. Its office is housed in Chopra building on the
station road. Out of the 2,000 copies printed, 1,800 are sold while the
rest distributed as complimentary copies free of charge.

Fortnightlics

Fron/iVr First started in 1966, this newspaper is printed

at Gopal Printing Press and published from Chhabili ghati goga gate,
Bikaner. Its editor, publisher and owner is Shri Lalchand Vyas. Its
circulation is claimed at 1,000 copies (sold 250 and distributed free
750 copies). Priced at 15 paise per copy, it covers news and current
affairs of local and regional importance.

Jagrat Shramik — It is owned by the Gypsum Mine Workers’
Union, lamsar and covers topics of interest to labourers and workers.
It was started jn 1963 and is published in Hindi. Its editor is
Vireodra Nath Gupta and is printed at Adarsh Mudranaiaya, Bikaner,

Maheshwari Sewak — Owned by Shri Ram Chandra Binant. this
periodical in Hindi w.as first published in 1956. Its office is locafcd 'on
the station road, Bikaner and is printed at Maheshwari Printing Pfess.

400

Rajasthan District Gazetteers-— Blkanci

It covers topics of interest to the members of Mabeshwari community
and is priced at 30 paise. Its circulation is claimed at 1,865 copies
(sold 1,540 and free distributed 325 copies).

Mazdoor Express — First published in 1965, it is edited, owned
and printed by Shri Tikam Chand Kbatri. It is printed at Adarsha
Mudranalaya, Bikaner and published from Chhabili ghati, Bikaner; It
deals with topics relating to labourers and their problems and is priced
at 15 paise per copy.

Shak eel— Jhis was first published in 1962. Its owner is Shakeel
Ahmed. It is printed at Adarsh Mudranalaya, Bikaner and its editor,
publisher and printer is Ahmad Hasan Quadri, Its- price is 10 paise
and it covers important information regarding films and movies in
Hindi. The paper claims a circulation of 2,000 copies (sold 1,026 and
. distributed free, 974;.

Shramanopasak — ^It is owned by Akhil Bharatvarshiya
Sadhumargi Jain Sangh, Bikaner. Its printer, publisher and editor is
Jugraj Sethia and is published for the welfare of the community. It is
printed at Educational Press, Bikaner and is priced at 25 paise.
Circulation number is claimed to be 2,411, (2,284 to subscribers and
127 copies for free distribution).

Monthlies

Gantantra Morcha — ^First published in 1965, this newspaper is
edited, owned and printed by Shri Shiv Shanker Purohit. It is printed
at Gopal Printing Press, Bikaner and priced at 15 paise each copy. It
covers news and current affairs of regional importance.

Rnjastlran Shikshalok — Published in Hindi and English, it was
started in 1959. Its owner is Jugal Rish ore Joshi and editor Shri
Girdhari Lai. It is printed at Maheshwari Press, Bikaner. Its price is
50 paise. It covers educational topics.

Rajastb'an Swayatta Sftasan — It is again a bilingual (in Hindi and
English) periodical started in 1963 and, published every month by the
Rajasthan Local Self-Government Institute, Jaipur. Shri Govind Narain
is its editor and publisher who gets it printed at Maheshwari Printing
Press, Bikaner. Its subscription is SO paise per copy.

Rnjastimn Guidance News Letter — First published in 1965, it is a

Public Life And Voluntary Social Service Organisations

401

bilingual monthly, dealing with matters of educational interest. It is
printed at Government Press, Bikaner by the State Bureau of
Educational and Vocational Guidance, Government of Rajasthan,
Bikaner. Its editor is Shri Govind Narain Mathur. Dr. Gopal Krishna
is its printer and publisher.

Swasthya Sarita — This Hindi magazine was formerly published
from its own press Swasthya Sarita Press but now from Maheshwari
Press, Bikaner. Its editor and owner is Shri Govind Narain. Priced at
50 paise, it deals with topics concerning health and medicines.

Shivira Paprika — First started in 1966, it is published from the
office of the Additional Director, Primary and Secondary Education,
Bikaner. It is printed at Government Press, Bikaner and owned by
the Department of Education, Government of Rajasthan. Its editor
is Shri Anil Bordia. Priced at 50 paise each copy, it covers news
regarding current affairs.

Sahitya Sarita — First published in 1965, it is owned, printed
published and edited by Surya Prakash Bissa. It is mainly a literary
and cultural magazine, priced at 25 paise each copy. It is published
from Surya Prakashan Mandir, Bikaner.

Shiksha Jycti — An Educational monthly, started in 1963, it is
published in Hindi and English at Jawahar Press, Bllancr and is priced
at 50 paise only. The name of (he owner and publisher is Vidya Sagar,
while the editor is Girdhari Lai.

Vatayan — It is a Hindi magazine being published since 1961. Its
office is located in Daga building, Bikaner and its publishing and
proprietory right vest in Harish Bbadani. It is printed at Educational
t ss. Bikaner by its printer, Shekhar Chandra Sazena and its editor
is Shri Visbwanath. It is a literary and cultural magazine. Its circula*
tion number is 3,566 (sold 2,625 and distributed free, 941 copies) and
its price is 70 paise.

Quarterlfes

Hamca Sadka—'nih is ewnrd by the K.H, Medical Institute
located on Gajner ro.ad. Bikaner. It is printed in Hindi by its editor
R. N. Bhafi, si Javaher Frirtirg Press, Bikener. Its subscription per
copy is 7S paise. ltdtn’s with topics on health and medicine. Its
cifcubtion is 200 copies only.

402

RSjastban District Gazetteers'— BUcaner

Naya Shikshak— This publication was started in 1950. It is a
bilingual (Hindi and English) periodical. Published under the authority
of the Director of Primary and Secondary Education, Rajasthan,
Bikener, at the Government Press, Bikaner. Its circulation is stated to
be 2,500 copies. It covers literary and cultural topics.

' Vishvambhara— It is the only multilingual quarterly in Hindi,

Sanskrit and English languages, published in the district. It bdongs to
Hindi Vishva Bharati Nagari Bhandar, Bikaner. Vidyadhar Shastri is
its editor and it is printed at Maheshwari Printing Press, Bikaner. It is
devoted to literature and culture. It has a circulation of 400 copies,
priced at Rs. 2 per copy.

Others

Besides the local news papers, a large number of All India news
papers and periodicals have a considerable number of readers in this
district. The major national dailies and Rajasthan dailies enjoying
State wide circulation are sold in large numbers in Bikaner, Lunkaran-
sar, Gangashahr, Naukha and Kolayat. The main daily papers in
circulation are the following:

The Hindustan, The Navbharat Times (from Delhi) and
Rashtradoot, Rajasthan Patrika, Lokvani (publication suspended for
some time) from Jaipur, Veer Arjun (Delhi) and Nav Jyoti (Jaipur), all
Hindi dailies which are widely read in the district. The Hindustan,
Times, The Times of India, The Indian Express, The Sunday Standard
and The Statesman (all in English) published at Delhi also find a fair
number of readers.

The weekly papers in demand are Dharmayug (Bombay),
Saptahik Hindustan (Delhi), Urvashi (Bombay), Yojna (Delhi), Ai’a/u
(Jaipur), ///MS/rated IPeek/y (Bombay), Blitz (Bombay), Zink (Delhi),
Sports and Past Time (Madras) and Rtjastimn (jarettP rwindi ^nd
English).

The following , monthly magazines and literary periodicals arc
also fairly popular-5'arika (Bombay) , Sarita, Rangbhumi, Chitra Lok-
all in Hindi and published from Delhi; Navneet (Bombay', and
Niharika (Agra), in Hindi; and, in English Readers Digest (U.K.) and
English Digest (U.K.).

f ublic Lrfe.^nd Voluntary Social Service Organisations

VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANISATIONS
Indian Red Cross Society

The State Branch oF Indian Red Cross Society has been carrying-
on its humanitarian work in the district. Apart from the normal
activities of the society, relief to famine and draught stricken people is
organised, which is almost a regular feature of the area. Articles viz.^
milk, multivitamin tablets, peas and various other materials are
supplied to district authorities for distribution among the poor and
the needy.

The State branch has also been running a training school, at
the district headquarters for providing training facilities in General
Nursing of three and half years’ course, each of the trainees gets a
stipend of Rs. 80 per month. According to the scheme, these trained
nurses are likely to be absorbed in the Rajasthan Medical EJepartment
hospitals which are short of them.

Bharat Sewak Sanuij

District branch of the Bharat Sewak Samaj was established
recently in Bikaner to organise camps, arrange for plan publicity and
encourage such activities as would lead to national integration among
the various sections of the society. Besides undertaking these social
activities, it started, in 1965, a College known as Nehru Sharda Rceth
(Evening College for such persons who cannot pursue their studies in
day-colleges;. The College, affiliated to the Rajasthan fJniversityv
Jaipur, runs the degree classes in Faculties of Arts and Commerce.
The college has been trying to build a good library for the benefit of
is students numbering 153 (1966-67).

Besides, the Samaj has collaborated with the district administra-
tion in the distribution of rations in Bikaner city through five shops
opened in various localities recently. Rifle training is imparled to the
citizens so that they may serve the nation in need and adversity. It
helps the landless peasants in getting land. The Samaj enjojs full co-
operation of the people in general.

Shri Bikaner Maliila Mandal

This inslituti^;n svas started on 15th August, 1947 by a group of
ladies prominent among them bcign Shrsmati Gulab Kumari Shekhawat
and Sar.'iswati Devi Moh'aia. ii.s object is to promote education

404

Rajasthan District Gazetteers—Bikaner

among women. It has been doing useful work for the all round
development of women. Besides short term educational courses, it has
started classes for knitting, weaving, tailoring, adult education, fine arts,
dance and music. For the care of children accompanying mothers at
the various classes, necessary provision has been made by the Institu-
tion. It has extended its activities by opening several branches of
this type in the city. The Mandal also organises social service camps,
exhibitions, and public meetings for the purpose of attracting more and
more women to derive benefit from the noble work being done by it. A
Co-operative Society named Bikaner Mahila landal Grih Udyog Sah-
kari Samiti is also being run by the institution. So far as its financial
position is concerned it receives, besides donations from the philanthro-
phists, grants from the State Government, and the Central Wel-
fare Board.

Mahila Jagriti Parishad, Bikaner

The Parishad was established on 2nd May, 1949 with the object
of providing training for all round development of women of the area.
Under its auspices, adult education centres, and centres for giving
training in knitting and sewing, home science and cottage industries are
running since its establishment. Efforts have been made to eradi-
cate outmoded customs and traditions by imparting education to the
inmates.

Rajasthan Mahila Parishad, Bikaner

This institution started founctioning from 1st May, I960 and is
a branch of the All India Women’s Conference. It aims also to work
for the all-round development of women, it provides training centres
for cottage industries and has started a Balbadi where 56 children
were being educated in 1965-66. Milk and mid-day meal, free of cost,
are provided to children belonging to the families of limited means.
Besides establishing a circulatory library, it runs a Bal Dadi.

Bharat Ynvak Samaj

Recently a branch of the Bharat Yuvak Samaj has been esta-
blished at Bikaner. Its object is to work among youth and students
with a view to training them to be good citizens. Their programme
includes holding of seminars, camps, study circles and cultural pro-
grammes for the purpose. During national emergency caused by the
aggression of China (in 1962) and Pakistan (in 1965) against

Public Life And Voluntary Social Service Organisations

40 *;

India, the Samaj co-operated with the authorities in implcmenling the
defence programmes and its volunteers worked hard in collecting funds
for the welfare of the fighting forces.

Harijan Sevak Sangh, Bikaner

Since its inception in 1945. the Sangh has worked for the amelio-
ration of the conditions of the Harijans in the district. It has tried to
wipe out the bane of untouchability by conferences and community
dinners. Education has been popularised, cottage industries started,
landless persons rehabilitated, and living accommodation with amenities
of light and water etc., provided to the Harijans through its activities.

Defence efforts

Under the chairmanship of the Collecior, five district level
committees, viz; Public Relations; Public Co-opeiation; Medical Relief;
Contribution of women in Defence Prepaicdness and Collection of
Defence Fund were formed, which kept their liaison with the commit-
tees formed att ho State level for the same purposes. All classes of
people in the district contributed to the National Defence Fund
created to boost up the morale of the people.

Total contribution to this Fund from Bikaner district came to
Rs. 4,36,334 at the time of Chinese aggression in 1962 and Rs 4,20,857
at the time of Pakistani aggression in 1965. Besides contributing in
money, people donated gold, silver and other articles of use to the
armed forces and their dependents'. People throrged in large numbers
to enlist themselves as members of the Armed Forces at all the recruit-
ing centres in the district immediately after the aggressi n. Panchayai
saraitis of the district took necessary action to step up food production
in their areas. A new contingent of Home Guards was raised in the
district and people were made familiar with civil defence measures.

Bikaner being a border district, more awareness of the danger
was visible among people during Pakistani aggrcsM'on. The disciplined
way in which they carried out Black-out rehearsals and other civi?
ckfence measures specially during the crucial months of Sep enther,
October and November,' 1965 was an indication of their resolve to
face danger and calamity manfully and heroically in times of nation;: 1
peril.

Appendix I

Details of General Elections for Parliament (Lok Sabha) of Bikaner Constituency

406

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikiane

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CHAPTER XIX

PLACES OF INTEREST

Bikaner district provides a number of places of interest to the
tourists. It presents a true picture of the Indian desert. Sand-dunes
ripple like waves in the shimmering heat of the sun. The full-moon
light transforms them into a molten mass of silver. It is a sight rare
but magnificent, which a poet would dream to put in his song and the
artist on his canvas. Important places are discribed below :

Bikaner City

Founded by Rao Bika in Samvat 1545 fl48S A.o.) Bikaner was
the capitalbf the erstwhile princely State of Bikaner and presently is
the district headquarters. It is the only city in the district and is locat-
ed almost in its centre. Lying between 28*01' latitude and 73'’ 19'
longitude, the city is situated on somewhat elevated ground at a height
of about 232 metres above the mean sea level. Spread over an area of
38.10 sq. kilometres, the city has a population of 150,634 souls according
to the Census of 1961.

Though surrounded by arid lands all around, the city contains
many lofty houses and temples and a massive fort. Carvings in red
stone used therein arc perhaps the most profuse of all such used in the
former capitals of Rajputana States. Viewed from a height, it presents
the appearance of an affluent city with an imposing wall interspersed
with many a round tower: and with a few magnificent mansions of the
rich, the doihcs of the temples and mintrets of (be mosques, ristng abovc
the ramparts.

Formerly it was a walled city, but with the change of time, the
city wall lost its significance and its maintenance became unnecessary.
Due to growth of the population, the city has outgrown the wall and new
colonies and buildings have been constructed outside it. There are five
entrances in the city wall named ns Koie gate, Jassusar gate, Nathusar
gate, Scctla gate and Gogi! gate, resides eight sally-ports. Some ofthese
are iFsnm;a!c^?:-Ki-D7irs {Mic Voiict'i gate). {the builder's

gate), Kcsa(o?>A%Bms (the Butcher's gate), Pahtt-Bari and Jd^ah-Ban.

In the centre of the city there is ore Jain temple known as
Cbiniamanrs templet frpsn where five hitfcr streets branch off which

I. a ticrh cVestfccticc rT^}Jth cemrkted in mj .s.o.

412

Rajasthan District Gazetteers — Bikaner

following a tortuous course and often losing their identity in the
intermingling of other streets lead towards one or the other of the large
gate-ways. At a distance of about 274 metres (300 yards) from the
Kote gate, is situated the fort and the linking road has developed
into a fashionable market-place for the city. Near the fort, there is
one big tank known as Sur Sagar which was constructed by and named
after Maharaja Sur Singh. It is the biggest tank in the city and
remains filled with rain water throughout the year. Now the water of
the tank being dirty can at best, be used for irrigational purposes.

The average annual rainfall in the city is about 306.1 mm. Extreme
heat in summer and extreme cold in winter mark its climate. The
temperature rises rapidly after March, June is the hottest month with
the mean daily maximum temperature at 41.5°C (106.7°F) and mean
daily minimum temperature at 29.3°C (84.7°F). The temperature
sometimes goes upto 49°C (120°F) in summer. During the winter sea-
son, the temperature sometimes touches 2°C or 3°C ' below freezing
point. Water at Bikaner is obtainable generally at the depth of 90 to
100 metres and is said to be rich in digestive properties. It is some-
what hard from excess of lime derived from the stratum of Ka ikar bat
otherwise pure and healthy. Here Alakh Sagar Well, which was once a
principal source of water supply, outside Kote gate merits special men-
tion. ^ It is one of the two wells Lalgir got constructed after he received
some money from Maharaja Ram Singh on his return from pilgrimage.
Other well is at Lalgir’s birth place Sulkhaniya. For the construction
of the Alakh Sagar well at Bikaner, Lalgir also received money from
people important of whom was Lacchi Ram Rakhecha. Re l-stone for
the well was brought on camels from Dulmera. It was the biggest
and finest well of the State. Water was drawn by eight pairs of oxen
in four directions, and carried into the city in large earthen jars or
leather pakhals. The construction of the well was started in Samvat
1901 and completed in Samvat 1922. However, according to one
source the woik commenced in Samvat 1909 and completed in Somvar
19241. With the augmentation of water-works; which supplies filtered
water, the well is now more a thing of historical importance. Besides
the wells, Lalgir got constructed a math on Ganga Shahar road Anup
Sugar (Chautina) well is also very important.

1 S-c Ra/puiatia Gazetteer , Vol. Ill A. Ttie IVestern RiiJpiitSna Stales Residency and
Bikaner Asency, 1909, p. 383, and Alkhiya Sampraday, Chandrndon Charan,
Bhatliya Vidya MandirShodb Pratistuhan. Bikaner, 1964, pp. 25 and 55 56.

Places of Interest

413

Inside the city, the roads are well laid and three-wheeler scooters
and tongas cater to the travellers’ needs. There is a circuit house
(State Hotel), a dak bungalow and a number of dharainshalas, besides
a few holelst to stay at. For recreation, there is a posh club known as
Sadul Club, besides, the Jubilee and the Railway clubs. Three cinema
houses viz., Ganga Theatre, Prakash Chitra and Vishwajyoti Theatre
are also operating in the city.

Bikaner is a good educational centre. There is a medical college,
a veterinary college, a post-degree college, a degree college for girls, a
poly-tcchnic and an industrial training institute. A public school,
known as the Sadul Public School also exists, besides many higher
secondary and middle schools.

The city is well connected both by rail and road with Delhi,
Jodhpur and Jaipur. It is 463 kilometres from Delhi, .377 kilometres
from Jaipur and 276 kilometres from Jodhpur by rail. A direct train
also goes from here to Bhatinda passing through Hanumangarh
on the way.

A brief description of important places of interest, inside the
city, is given below :

Bika-ki-Tekri (Old Fort) — Built by Rao Bika three years before
he founded the city, the old fort is situated on high rocky
ground in the south-west of the city. The site of the fort W'as
determined by one Napo who was great observer of omens. It is
in ruins and now rather a shrine than a fort. In the vicinity are the
cenotaphs of Rao Bika, Rao Haruji, Rao Lunkaran and Rao Jet Singh
with inscriptions giving the dates of funerals and the number of satix
who immolated themselves on the pyre. Bika’s cenotaph was originally
built of red stone but was later re-crcctcd in marble.

Large jort— This fort was constructed during the reign of Rat
Singh. It is believed that the site of this fort too was dcfcimincd in times
of Rao Bika by omens.lt is said that Napo and Naro were sent for the
purpose. During their sojourn, they saw one early morning a rn.m asleep

I, SicKT JiJr.tiary. j972. well knov^n Lalgatb end Gsjntr rajaces which hlj itceniv
were the pBtnc« cftfce Mahareja of Banner have been conversed

jrsfo hotels.

414

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

using a tuft of bharut grass as a piilow, and a snake was sitting over
the tuft in a coil. Napo and Naro watched the reptile instead of
molesting it. When the snake moved, they followed it and were led to
the same place where they had earlier seen the incident of sheep and
wolves. The spot where the snake had first been seen was selected by
Napo as auspicious for erection of the fort.

The construction of the fort started in Samvat 1645 (1589 kx>-)
by Karam Chand the minister of Rai Singh as the latter had been
employed as Subedar of Burhanpur by Akbar from Samvat 1642 to
1649. Rai Singh had planned the fort and Karam Chand executed
the plan under his orders. The construction was completed in Samvat
1650 (1594 A.D.) the year after Rai Singh’s return from the south.

The fort is situated at some distance, near the Collectorate,
from Kote gate and has a circumference of 985 metres (1078
yards). It also contains palaces which give the fort an imposing look.
The palace buildings were raised piece-meal by successive rulers,
nearly every one of them adding some thing. There are two entrances
each of which has three or four successive gates having different names.
A moat runs all around in direction parallel to the curtains without
following the curve of the bastions. The moat is about 9 metres (30
feet) wide at the top but narrow at the bottom, and 6 to 8 metres (20
to 25 ft.) deep. The main entrance facing towards east is known as
Karan Pol. Next to it, is known as Suraj Pol on the two corners of
which arc statues of great .warriors Jaimal and Patta riding on the
elephants. A little ahead is a big courtyard with palaces on two
sides. Stones in excellent design adorn the palaces particularly in
Ganga Niwas Durbar Hall. A large door of the AnUp Mahal in the
fort has a very superior gesso ornamentation. Besides, the gilded
carved decorations on the walls of Anop Mahal are worth admiration.

Frescos on the walls of palaces bear originality in the design of
trees, flowers, clouds and figures. The sensitive drawing, luminous
colouring and the graceful curves of figures are simnly marvellous.
They are striking examples of Rajput School of Pair.ii.ig though not
free from the influence of Mughal art.

The historical heir-looms of the Rathors consisting of a throne,
umbrella, a dagger, the Barisal Nagara etc. brought by Rao Bika from
Jodhpur are also preserved in the fort.

Places of Interest

415

In one of the parts of the palace, a small armoury section is
maintained which exhibits old arras, both offensive and defen-
sive. The important portions of the palace are Chaubara erected by
Raja Rai Singh; Phool Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Gaj Mandir and
Kacheri built by Maharaja Gaj Singh; Antip Mahal is best of all and
dates back to Surat Singh’s time; Chhatra Mahal and Chini Burj built
by Maharaja Dungar Singh; Ganga Niwas called after and built by
Maharaja Ganga Singh, is a handsome room the interior of which
consists of carved red stone, ceiling of carved wood and the floor of
marble. The palaces are open to visitors on payment of a nominal fee.

Lalgabh Palace— It is one of the most magnificent buildings
in the city of Bikaner and is at present the residence of the Maharaja.
The palace is situated outside the city at some distance. It was cons-
tructed by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the beginning of this century in
memory of his father Lai Singh. It is built of red stone and has
attractive carvings. Details of highly carved work can also be seen
in the main porch of the palace, which consisting of rich floral
devices with their curly and sinuous tendrils, expressive figures of
animals and gods and goddesses from Hindu mythology, all blended
in harmonious patterns, create ornamentations of great beauty and
charm. Inside the palace, the flooring has mostly been done in
marble. Within the compound, beautifully planned garden has been
laid out; and its one of the corners bristles with a swimming pool
with attractive lighting arrangements. The palace has about a
hundred suits and a very rich library containing some original
documents and rare books. A full-sized statue of Lai Singh faces
the palace.

Ganga Niwas Porlic Park— Named after Maharaja Ganga
Singh, the Park is situated in front of the fort near Sorsagar.
Its inauguration ceremony was performed in a.d. 1915 by the then
Viceroy Lord Hardings. Its main gate was called, Queen Empress
Gate, and it is approachable through five other gates. The park is
well planned and is attractively designed. In one corner
stands Maharaja Dungar Singh's, statue of marble. Facing the
m.ain gate is the bronze statue of Maharaja Ganga Singh on a horse
back, .Adjacent to it is a tank named after Egerton who was
the tutor of Maharaja Ganga Singh. Almost in the centre inside

416

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

the park, stands a tower in red stone. The collectorate, court of the
district & sessions judge, other executive and judicial courts,
office of the State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur, office of the Urban
Improvement Trust, Telephone Exchange, Ganga Theatre etc. ar
located inside the park.

Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum— A visit to the museum is a
rewarding experience. Details about this have been given on pp. 360-362
of this volume.

Laxmi Narain Temple— Among the temples of Vaishnavas,
the temple of Laxmi Narayan (also called Laxmi Nath) is
considered to be the principal one. Situated near Bika-Ki-Telcri, it
was built by Rao Lunkaran who ruled Bikaner between 1505 and 1526
A.D. During the reign of Maharaja Ganga Singh, a beautiful park
was laid in the compound of the temple for general use which has fur-
ther added to its beauty. Other important temples of Vallabhacharis’
are Raj Ratan Bihariji and Rasik Shiromaniji near Collectorate; out-
side the temples is a beautiful park. Unta Devi’s temple is unique as
the goddess is shown mounting a camel.

Bhandasar Temple— In the south-west of the city, there is a
magnificent temple built by an Oswal MLahajan known as Bhanda. It
is said to be older than the city having .been built in or about
Sanivat 1468. The temple is so high that all the parts of the city are
visible from the top of the temple. The building has elaborate stone
carving. Another temple, namely, Neminath his been attributed to
Bhanda’s brother.

Dhuni Nath Temple — Containing the images of five chief deit-
ies— Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Surya and Ganesh, the temple is
called Dhuni Nath Ke Punch Mandir. It was constructed by one Jogi,
Dhuni Nath in 1808 a.d. {Sanivat 1865| during Surat Singh’s time.

Zoo — Inside the Ganga Niwas Public park, a small zoo is main-
tained where various types of animals and birds are preserved for the
amusement of the visitors. The Great Indian Bustard, which is a rare
bird these days, and, which generally does not survive in captivity, is
Vicll preserved here. Other important birds and animals kept here
include pigeons, doves both spotted and white, surya mukhi budgeri-
gars, parrots, parakeet, hawks, owls, ducks, flamingoes, a lion, a tiger.

Places of Interest

417

leopards, sloth bear, wild pig, wolf, jackal, porcupine, black buck,
spotted deer, chinkara, sambar, blue bull, hare, monkey, crocodi-
les etc.

Deshnoke

Deshnoke, a small town with a population of 6,880 in 1961, is
famous for the temple of Karniji. worshipped as the tutelary deity of
the erstwhile ruling family of Bikaner. Situated in the south of Bikaner
city, Deshnoke is connected both by rail (33 Km.) and road (30.4 Km.).
The temple is believed to have been built by Karniji herself, in the
fifteenth or sixteenth century and is held in great reverence. According
to old tradition, Karniji is described as a Charan woman, gifted with
supernatural power, who lived from 1387 to 1538 A. D. Rao Bika,
while entering this territory in 1465 A.D. paid his respects to her. She
is believed to have prophesied to him “your destiny is higher than your
father’s, and many servants will touch your feet”. This prophecy
proved true and hence she was regarded as the protectress of the
State. Even the marriage of Rao Bika w'ith Rang Kunwari, daughter
of Shekhn the Bhati Rao of Pagal, was dictated by the wishes of Karniji.
Shekha paid respects to Karniji on fourteenth of every fortnight and
styled himself her brother. Shekha did not favour his daughter’s
marriage with Bika. However, when Karniji was approached by
Shekha’s lady for Shekha’s release who was taken captive to the Subadar
of Multan by Multan garrison, Karniji promised the release of Shekha
if the arrangements of Rang Kunwar with Rao Bika were made
forthwith. Karniji herself was present at the marriage ceremony. When
the circuit ceremony approached, Karniji fled off to Multan and
brought Shekha and caused him to complete the ceremony!.

In obedience of the direction of Karniji, Bika stayed for three
years at Chandasar and then dwelt for six years at Deshnoke where he
frequently waited on Karniji." In former limes no outlaw taking
refuge in this temple could be arrested, but this custom was abolished
in: 18705.

Historical and religious significance apart, one very distinguishing
feature of the temple is a large number of rats, locally known as
Karniji’s Kishas, arc seen moving about freely on the floor of the temple

1. Po’-sklt, P. W., (Jaxeltetr of the Hikoeer Sffl.v, J935, p. 2..

2 . ' 2 .

3. Jv. I?,. /vc// f.’f Xot, IIPA, The fy^e^teett Stetes

ftestdet'iy erd Blkcrer Ater.cy, 1909. p. 3S2.

418

Rajastban District Gazetteers — Bikaner

as the Kabas are fed and not molested there. To see a white rat is believed
to be auspicious Similarly.it is believed to augur well for a man if a rat
climbs over his shoulders inside the temple. Though the temple is not
aichaeologically very important, the stone carving on the entrance gate
deserves special mention. This entrance was reconstructed during the
reign of Maharaja Ganga Singh and has attractive sculptural models in
white marble with floral and figural design.

The town served with a municipality is electrified and has the
facility of water supply through waterworks. There are a Dharamshala
(built in Samvat 1967), a rest house, a Post and Telegraph office, one
Higher Secondary School, one Middle School for boys, one Primary
School for boys, one Primary School for girls, a Hospital, a Veterinary
Hospital, a Wool Production Centre, Stke Bank of Bikaner and
Jaipur and a Police Station.

Devi Kund

This place is situated 6 kilometres in the east of the city. The
members of the ruling family of Bikaner, subsequent to Jet Singh,
the great grand son of Bika, have been cremated here. On the sides of
the reservoir of water lie the cenotaphs of the chiefs from Rao Kalyan
Singh to the last Maharaja Sadul Singh, as well as those of their wives
and other important members of their families. Several of the ceno-
taphs have beautiful structures with graceful pillared domes having fine
enamel work on or under their surfaces, which with the lapse of time
,lias decayed and disappeared wholly or partially. Prior to 1828 a d.
the material used for the buildings was red 5andstone of Dulmera and
marble, from Makrana for the commemorative tablets, but afterwards
all important cenotaphs have been constructed of marble. On some of
the commemorative stones, the mounted figure of the chief is sculptured
in bqs-rchef On the lower side stand the wives in order of preccLnce
and below the chief the concubines who mounted his funeral pyre.This is
the general rule observed is executing the bas-reliefs excepf in case
of A„„p S.ngl, s coo, .ph, whore Iwotof, a,„„g„i,h ,h„o oonoubioos n o
shown s,n„d,nE front of the chief. From a stady of the tables o “ho
cenotaphs, ,t becomes evident that as many ns twenty., wo females bn nt

S Steh ?hf.‘ Upto L time

^ ^ number of S’atis was over twelve to each

chief. The cenotaph of Maharaja Raj Singh is noteworthy for con-
taining the figure of a man named Sangram Singh, who immolated on

Places of Interest

419

Maharaja’s pyre like a sati. The cenotaph of Maharaja Surat Singh’s
second son Moti Singh, who died in Samvat 1882 (a.d. 1825) needs
special mention. His wife Dip Kunwar, a Udaipur Princess, was the
last distinguished sati. People still speak of her courage : she wended
her way with uncovered face from palace to the cremation place. In her
honour, a fair is held in the month of Bhadon (August- September). The
last cenotaph is that of Maharaja Sadul Singh. It is made of marble
of various colours and is of modern style completely different from
the rest.

Near the tank is a small palace built for the convenience of the
royal family when they are required to attend ceremonies at Devi
Kand. Because of a water reservoir, Devi kund is sometimes used as a
picnic spot in rainy season.

Gajner

At height of 233 metres, the village is situated between IT. 51'
latitude and IV 03' longitude inthe south-west of Bikaner city at a dista-
nce of 32 km. by road and 35 km. by train. It is famous for the beauty
of the lake and palace where the members of the royal family took
resort during summer. The palace is the personal property of the
Maharaja. Gajner is perhaps the prettiest spot in the whole of the
district. Some details of the lake have been given earlier. Its bank on one
side is green and wooded, while the other side is covered by the impos-
ing palace and garden watered from the lake. Imperial sand-grouse
in the course of their far-off journey from southern Siberia perch on
the shores of this picturesque lake which has acquired renown as a
place for sand-grouse shooting. Wild bores, black bucks and chinkaras
arc also availablc on the banks of the lake. The site presents exhilarat-
ing spectacle in the spring.

The village of Gajner is said to have been founded by Maharaja
Gaj Singh. It is situated in a depression and the whole place was
submerged in the floods that occurred in the year 1933 a.d. There is a
police st.ation, post ofiicc and a dispensary in the village. Telephone
facilities are also available. According to the Census of 1961 the
population of village including that of the palace was 1415.

.langlu

Situated in the south of Bikaner at a distance of 40 km, a small
village known as JSngUi is of some historical significance. It is

420

Rajastban District Gazetteers— Bikaner

said that the village was founded by the Rani Ajai Devi of Samrat
(Emperor) Prithvi Raj Chauhan. A small fort was built by Sankhlas,
the ruins of which can still be seen. To this place belonged one Napo
Sankhla whose help and sagacious counsel was of great significance in
the establishment of the Rathor kingdom in this region. Before Bikaner
was founded, Rao Bika lived here for ten years and converted it into
a flourishing place.

Kotamdesar

Koramdesar is a small village situated at a distance of 24 kilo-
metres west of the city of Bikaner. There is a small tank on the banks
of which is built a temple of Bhainwji. Here also Rao Bika had dwelt
for nearly three years before establishment of his capital at Bikaner.
He set up the image of Bhainmji, he brought with him from Mandour,
on the embankment of tank. Bika also constructed a small fort hsre
which is in ruins now.

The place is connected by a metalled road and is electrified.
On one bank of the tank is a small palace with a small garden. It
has now been converted into a hotel and caters to the needs of the
tourists. There are also. three cf/jarams/ia/ar for the pilgrims coming to
the temple..

Kolayat

' Kolayat village is situated between 27°50' latitude and 73“5;'
longitude. Itas^dl km. south-west of Bikaner known far and wide for
the holiness of its tank. The place is considered to be one of the most
sacred places not only in this part of the country but throughout India.
Worshippers come even from such distant places as _NepaI. The cent-
ral feature of the place is a tank with a temple of Kapil Muni regarded
as the originator of the Sankhya system of Indian philosophy. An
annual fair from KarUk Sudi 13 to Agrahan vacH 1 is held to commemo-
rate his visit to the place which is believed to have been hallowed by his
feet. Many other temples have also been built and several bathing
glwts, separate for men and women, and shaded by Peepal Neem and
Khejra trees adorn the banks of the tank. Many people visit Kolavat
round the year to gain religious merit and some during rains for picnic
and pleasure. '*

The place is approachable both by rail (50
road 51 km. from Bikaner. It is the headquarters

km.) and metalled
of the tahsil as also

Places of Interest

421

of the panchayat saraiti. The village is electrified and recently water-
works has been commissioned. There are a number of dharamshalasircni ■
free rest houses) which can accommodate hundreds of persons at a time.
Besides, there is office of Public Works Department, rest house, a secon-
dary school, a primary school, a primary health centre and a police out-
post; post, telegraph, telephone and banking facilities are also avail-
able. Heavy floods came in the area in samvat 1990 (1933 a.d.) which
washed away the palace and on its site now stands the tahsil building.
The population of the village was 834 according to the Census taken
in 1961.

Lunkaransar

It is the headquarters of the northern most tahsil and panchayat
saraiti of the same name. The village takes its name from Rao Ltin-
karan, the third ruler of the State, and is about 68 km. by road in
north-east of Bikaner. Distance from Bikaner by train is 81 km.
According to the Census of 1961, the population of the village was o f
the order of 2,791. There being no sweet^ryater available. even today,
drinking water has to be supplied by dr&mP'liropt^Bikaner. There is a
higher secondary school, a girls’ middle scllpol, a pnlice^tatiori ahd a
dispensary. Post and telegraph?, fadifitTes are-dlso . available ’here.*

Mokam

At a distance of 16 kilometres'lfrom Na^ha^h^^ies a small
village known as Mokam, thc':s^cre^’pl'aSe''bf,^b£'ffish6di community
where the earthly remains of the heleb ra t cd_J.^blrt shwarji, founder of
the sect, lie deposited. The village hasTBcen' in existence for more than
five centuries. Twice a year a fair is held in commemoration of
J ambheshwarji; the main fair is on Phalgun Krishna 15 which is
attended by more than 12,000 persons coming from all parts of the
country; and the subsidiary fair on Aswin Krishna 14 to Amavasya
attended by nearly 4,000 persons. The village has four dharamshalas
and a middle school.

Naphsnr

It is a village with a population of 6,634 souls situated in the
south-east of Bikaner city at a distance of about 2S km. byroad and
lies on the Dclhi-Blkancr branch of the northern railway. It Iks between
2?®58' latitude and 73*33' longitude. The place is famous for the manu.
tijcture of woollen blankets and Ms, and though on a verj- small scale is
humming with Industrial activity. Tisc village comes under the jurisdiction

422

Rajasthan District Gazetteers— Bikaner

of the gram panchayat and all civic amenities are looked after by it. It
has a primary health centre, a higher secondary school, and a police
station. Wells are the main source of water supply though piped vvater
is also made available through waterworks managed by the gram
panchayat. Electric facility is also available inside the town. Post,
telephone and telegraph facilities are also available. There are four
dliaraii.slialas in the village.

Naukha

Naukha is a prosperous numdi. It is situated between 27°35'
latitude and 73°26' longitude. It is at -a distance of 60 km. by road
and 65 km. by rail from Bikaner. The town has a municipality, a
secondary school, a primary health centre and three dharamshalas and
enjoys banking, telephone and telegraph facilities. It has population of
7,740 persons according to 1961 census.

Pugal

Pogal is situated in the west of the district between 28'’31'
latitude and 72®49' longitude. It is 80 km. from BTlianer and is
a place of some historical importance. It is one of the oldest villages
of this region and is said to have been taken by the Bhatis from the
Parmaras in the middle of the ninth century. When Rao Bika invaded
this area nearly five hundred years ago, he took to wife the daugh-
ter of Shekha of Pugal, and several of his successors also married in
the same family. Elphinstone passed through this tract on his way to
Kabul in 1808 a.d. and described it as “a sea of sand without a sign of
vegetation”. A few temples also exist there which belong to Bhati
community. The place is famous for its milch cows and plough-
bullocks. According to the Census of 1961, the population of the
village was 963. The village is connected with Bikaner by bituminised
road.

Shco Bari

About half way between Devi Knnd and the city of Bikaner but
at some distance to the south of the road, lies the village known as
Shco Bari. The place is known for its finely built modern temple
dedicated to Lord Shiva. A fair is also held here in the month of Savan

every year. The village has a population of 2,537 according to the
census of 1961.

A SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. A Descriptive list of Farmans, Manshurs and Nishans, Direc-
torate of Archives, Government of Rajasthan, Bikaner (1962)

2. A Guide to' Rajasthan Cattle Fairs, 1958-59, Department of
Animal Husbandry, Rajasthan

3. Agarwal, Govind, Swami Gopaldasji ka Vyaktitva Evam
Kartitva, ISagar Shri Churu (V. S, 2025) '

A Aitchison, C. U.-, A Collection of Treaties, Engagements and
Sanads, Vol. Ill (1932)

5. Alkhiya Sampraday, Chandradan Charan, Bhartiya Vidya Man-
dir Shodh Pratishthan, (1964)

6. Baherjec, N.R., The Iron Age in India, Munshiram Manoharlal,

Delhi (1965)

7. Bikaner Pragati Ke Path Par, Public Relations Department

8. Biswas, Chittaranjan; Bikaner, the Land of Marwaris, The
Indian Publishing House, Calcutta

9. Boilcau, A. H. E., Personal Narration of a Tour Through the
Western States of Rajwara comprising Beekaner, Jesulmer and
Jodhpur with the passage of the Great Desert and a Brief Visit
to the Indus and Bahavvalpoor (1935)

10. Bulletin of the National' Institute of Sciences of India,
September 1952

11. Census 1951, Rajasthan and Ajmer, District Census Handbook,
Bikaner, Part I, General Description and Census Tables, 1956'

12. Census 1951, Rajasthan and Ajmer, District Census Handbook,
Bikaner, Part 11, Primary Census Abstract or Village Directory,
1956

13. Census of India, Paper No. 1 of 1962, 1961 Census, Final
Population Totals 1961, Manager of Publications, Government
of India, Delhi, 1962

14. Census of India, 1961, Vol. XIV, Rajasthiln, Part II-B (i) &.(ii),
General Economic Tables, MaiTaccr of Publications, Govern-
ment of India, Delhi (1965)

15. Census oflndia, 1961, Rajasthan District Census Handbook,
Bikaner District, Government of Rajasthan, 1967

16. Census of India, 1961, Vol. XIV, Rajasthan, Part H-A^ General
Population Tables, Manager of Publications., Government of
Indsn, Delhi (1964)

424

17. Census of India. 1961, Vol. XIV, Rajasthan, Part II-C (i), Social
and Cultural Tables, Manager of Publications, Governtnent of
India, Delhi (1965)

18. Census oflndia, 1961, Vol. XIV, Part VI~B, Village Survey

Monographs, Mudh, Manager of Publications, Government of
India, Delhi (1965)

19. Delimitation ofConstituencies for General Elections, Election
Depanment, Government of Rajasthan for the years 1951,
1957 and 1967

23. Erskine, K. D., Rajputana Gazetteer, Vol. Ill- A, The Western
Kajputana States Residency and Bikaner Agency (1909)

21. Four Decades of Progress in Bikaner (1937)

22. Fourth General Elections, 1967, A Statistical Review, Election
Department, Rajasthan, Jaipur (1967)

O^dS)”’

Administration in Bikaner State (18i8-
lW),^unpubltshed Ph.D. Thesis. University of Rajasthan,

(ed), Ain-i-Akbari of Abul FazW-AIIami,

Samp^adaya Aur

SSrcr,^196r Potentialities and Development in

7m' V. Fart I. Ajmer

Raj.sS* Development Department,

Biography (^ 9 ^ 7 )’ the Maharaja of Bikaner A

(1935) ' ^ State (Reprint), Bikaner

34. Rcpoftof the Bikaner Bantino r ■

35. Report on General Elections 196^^1"^ Committee (1929)

Slhan, Jaipur ’ ^^‘^‘^t'on Department, Raja-

3<5- Report on the First Gencni ci .•

Elocioa CommU*!.'™' “ “

425

37. Report on the Fourth General Elections in India, 1967, Vol. II
(Statistical), Election Commission, India

38. Report on the Second General Elections in India, 1957, Vol. II
(Statistical), Election Commission, India

39. Report on the Third General Elections in India, 1962, Vol. II
(Statistical), Election Commission, India

40. Reports on the Administration of Bikaner State, for various
years

41. Reports on the Livestock Census of Rajasthan, 1961, 1966,
Board of Revenue, Rajasthan, Ajmer

42. Ruial Credit Pollow-up Survey (1956-57), General Review
Report, Reserve Bank of India

43. Second Five Year Plan, Progress Report, Rajasthan, 1956-61,
Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Rajasthan, Jaipur

41. Statistical Abstract, Rajasthan, yearly volumes for various
years. Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Jaipur

45. Subba Rao, B., Personality of India, Baroda (1958)

46. The History and Culture of the Indian People, Vol. I, George
Allen & Unwin Ltd., London (1957)

47. The History and Culture of the Indian People, Vol II, Bhartiya
Vidya Bhavan, Bombay (1960)

48. The History and Culture of the Indian People, Vol. Ill, Bhartiya

Vidya Bhavan, Bombay (1962)

49. The House of Bikaner, An official publication of the Bikaner.
State, Bikaner (1933)

50. Tod, James, Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Vols.T, II &
111, edited by William Crookc, Oxford University Press (1920)

51. Tiititya Panch Varshiya Yojna Pragati Prativedan, 1961-66,
Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Rajasthan, Jaipur

52. Webb, W.W„ The Currencies of Hindu States'of Rajputana (1893)

GLOSSARY

Ahadi

Abimsa

Asami

Betalab

Bh'ainin

Bhajan

Bidi

Bara

Chak

Chorkha

Cbhach

Chiapas

Chhutbhai

t ‘ J

Dal

Dam

Danedor

Dharinda

Dhanmshala

Faujkharch

Ghditi

Gotra

Gram

Gramsabha

Guru

Halka

Hat

Havihhr

Uaqa

Khadi

Khalsa Vi1laf!e
Fhoiedar

Habitation

■Non-violence

Client

■Without a pond
A Hindu deity
Hymn

Indian crude form of cigarette, tobacco rolled in
leaves

A gunny bag

A territorial division of (agricultural) land in rural
areas

A spinning wheel
Butter-milk
Printers of cloth

Among Rajputs, sons, generally Cadet, not asce-
nding the gadi
Pulse

A coin of medieval period

Granular

Endowment

A house for pilgrims; an inn built out of philan-
thropy

Military expenses, also a tax

An indigcncous contrivance for crushing oilseeds

Clan

Village

Village council

Teacher

Jurisdiction

A mart; market place

Police official

Area

Hand spun and hand woven cloth
Land directly managed by the State; crown land
Tenants on agricultural land enjo ing occupancy
rights

427

Khejra

Khillat

Kirana

Kirtan

Kisan

Kotwal

Krishi Nipun

Kuppi

Lambardar

Loliar

Mahal

Maharani

Maktaha

Mistri

Mukhtyar

Naka

Namda

Namaz

Nazim

Nazr

Nigaratiidar

Niwar

Paiighat

Papad

Parda

Pargond

Palhshala

PatU'dar

Pcepal

Quazi

Raj

Rosgtdla

Hath

Sagai

Sapmd

Samadin

Sanad

Prosopis Spicigera

A robe of honour or other ceremonial present
Grocery

Recitation accompanied by music

Farmer, Cultivator, tiller of the land

Police officer

Expert in agriculture

A flask to hold oil or ghee

A revenue official

Iron-smith

A revenue jurisdiction during the Mughal period

Queen

Urdu school

A craftsman

An attorney

An outpost

A kind of woollen blanket
Muslim prayer
Revenue official

A present or offering from an inferior to a

superior

Supervisor

Wide and compact cotton tape used in weaving
a bedstead

Place from where water is drawn

Wafer

Veil

A revenue area
School
Land owner

The bo-trcc, same as pipal
Mohammedan judge; an official associated in a
Muslim marriage
The Government

A typical round and spongy Bengali sweet

Chariot

Betrothal

Collateral

Cenotaph

Grant or authority

248

Shradha

A propitiatory rite performed for the dead

Sirkar

A division of the territory during Mughal period

Sowar

Rider

Siibah

A province

Talao

Pond, tank

Thakur

Chief

Tbana

Military outpost, also police station

Thathera

A tinker

Thikana

A chiefship, an estate

Tonga

A horse driven carriage

Tulsi

Holy basil or Ocimum Sanctum, Linn

Vakil

Pleader

Yajna

An ancient Hindu institution of religious sacrifice
and oblation

INDEX

Abhay Singh 42, 44, 45, 46

Abhaya Jain Granthalaya 362

Abhaya Raja 358

Abhey Prakasb Bhatnagar 399

Abu Mahmad 354

Achalgarh 32

Ac((s)

Bikaner Compulsory Primary
Education Act (1928) 326;
Bikaner Hindu Marriage Act
(1928) 103; Bikaner Municipal
Act 321; Bikaner Prisons Act
(1927) 30J; Bikaner Public

Gambling Act (1923)304; Bikaner
Specific Relief Act (1923) 304;
Bikaner State Co-operative Soci-
eties Act (1920) 191; Bikaner
State Land Revenue Act 276;
Bikaner State Limitation Act
(1920) 304; Bikaner State

Registration Act (1916) 304;

Bikaner Village Panchayat Act
329; Christian Marriage Act 106;
Compulsory Primary Ed-ication
Act 341; Co-operative Societies
Act 190, 191; District Board
Act (1935) 328; Employ-

ment of Children Act 315;
Factories Act 1 65, 315; Gambling

Act (1889) 304; Hindu Inheri-
tance and Succession Act (1956)
101; Hindu Marriage Act

(1955) 105; Hindu Succession
Act. (1956) 101; Indian Biolers

Act 315; Indian Divorce Act 106;
Indian Evidence Act 306; Indian
Registration Act (1908) 283; Land

Revenue Act 263; Legal Practi-
tioners Act (1925) 308; Limita-
tion Act 306; Maternity Benefit
Act 3 15; Minimum Wages Act
1 76, 245. 256; Municipal Act
324; Municipal Amendment Act
(1928) 324; Native Coinage

Act (1876) 79; Payment of Wage;
Act 315; Police Act (1922) 293;
Prison Act (1927) 301; Public
Safety Act 66, 67; RajasthaE
Animals and Birds Protection Act
(1951) II; Rajasthan Cash Jagirs
Abolition Act (1958) 280; Rajas-»
than Forest Act 12; Rajasthan
Land Revenue Act 281; Rajas-
than Land Reforms and Resump-
tion of Jagirs (Amendment)
Act (1954) 280; Rajasthan Land
Revenue Act (1956) 277, 281;
Rajasthan Motor Vehicles Act
284; Rajasthan Municipalitj
Act (1959) 326, 327; Rajasthan
Panchayat Act (1953) 330;
Rajasthan Panchayat Samilis
and Zila Parishads Act (1959)
331; Rajasthan Passengers and
Goods Taxation Act (1959) 21 1;
Rajasthan Tenancy Act 280, 281,
282;Rajasthdn Town Municipali-
ties Act 322 323, 324, 32% 327;
Registration Act(lg93) 304; Salei
Tax Aci(I954) 285; Small Cause
Courts 304; Stamp and Courts
Fees Act 304, 306; Stamps Act
284; Tenai.cy Act (1945) 272;
The Rajasthan Discorttinuanct

430

of Cesses Act (1959) 281; The
Rajasthan Gramdan Act 282; The
Rajasthan Land Reforms and Res-
umption ofJagirs Act(1952) 280;
Weights and Measures Act 205
Adarsh Mudranalaya 399, 400
Additional Collector 264
Administrative system 67
Adoni 40, 41
Adoption Sunnud 74
Adult

-education 351; -franchise 327;
-suffrage 332
Africa 87

Agar Chand Nabta 355
Agarwal 186
Aggression 25
Agreement 79

Agriculture 130-136, 333. 349
Ahadi (Imperial messenger) 39
Ahmadnagar 37 .

Ahmedabad 157, 166, 349

Aln-i-AIcbari 266

Ajai Devi, Rani 420

Ajit Singh 42, 47, 51

Ajit Singh (Mohil) 24

Ajmer 27, 31, 35, 45, 297, 302, 340

Akalwala 392

Akbar 30, 31, 32, 33, 275, 356, 414
Akha Teej 114, 115
Akhai Raj, Rawal 47
Akhil Bhartiya Charan Sabha 67

Akhil Bhamtvarshiya Sadhumargi
Jain Sangli 400

Alakh Sugar 96, 412
Alakbgirs 95-96
Ali Khan 48
All India

-Congress Committee (also
see Congress) 65; -Radio 318;

-States Peoples’ Conference 395;
Women’s Conference 404

Allahabad 21, 351
Alwana 54
Alwar 313

Amar Singh 37, 45, 120
Amarchand 51 52, 53
Amarsar village 362
Amba Lai Mathur 399
Amber 28, 35, 38
Ambika Bhatt 3 -6
Amir Khan 51, 52, 53
Amrit Manjari 356
Anand Hotel 215
Anand Singh 45, 46
Anga 266, 267
Anil Bordia 401
Animals 10

Anti-locust Department 134
Annp Mahal 414
Anup Mahodadhi 355
Anup Ratnakar 355
AnUp Sugar 412
Anup SangH Ratnakar 355
Anup Sangit Vilas 355
Anup Sanskrit Library 41,357
Anup Singh 39, 41, 81, 353,354,
356, 357,418; -his death 354
AnUpgarh 35, 50, 305
Anupoddeshya 356
Anuppiir 45
Appa Sahib 47
Arabian sea 5
Arbitration 69
Archaeological finds 19
Archaeologists 21
Architecture 63
Archives 313
Arid tract 7, 62
Armed Forces 405
Army 26, 41, 51

Arson 76

Artificial insemination Centre 141

431

Aryans 21
Ashladhyayi 22
Asia 86

Asiatic countries 87
Assembly 65, 390, 407
Assistant

-EmpIoymentOfficer 247; -Settle

ment Officers 275
Attock 38

Aurangabad 39, 41; Subah 37
Aurangzeb 38, 39, 41, 361
Aurel Stein, Sir 20
Aushadhalayas 377
Australia 139
Avantika 117
Ayodhya 1 1 7
Ayttdh-jh'i-Kshatriyas 22
Ayurved 251, 253; -dispensaries 377;
Ayurvedic

-Aushdhalayas, list of 381; system
of medicine 365, 377
B

Babur 29

Bachawat Karamchand 32
Bada Bas 330

Badinoo 207

fiadopal (a village) 20

Bag 354

Bagar 356

Bagh Singh 30

Bahadur Singh Rawal 50

Bahawal Khan 50

Bahuwalpur 50, 55, 62; -district 1 ;
-State 20

Bahis 188
Baid 35

Bairam Khan 30
Bajoo 289

Bajra 114. 239, 240, 241, 242, 243
Bakhai 47

Bakhat Singh 42,44, 46; -of Naaaur
43, 45, 46

Bakhtawar Singh hkhta 44. 48

Balai 385
Baldwa 389
Baluchis 32
Baluchistan 6

Banaras 60; -Hindu University 60;

-School 101
Bandi 1 1
B mdra 163
Banerjee, Dr. 21
Baniyas (also Banias) 89, 105

Banjar 273
Banjaras 188
Bank

Central Bank of India 194; Cen-
tral Co-opeiative Bank Ltd. 172,
192 194; District Central Co-
operative Bank 334; of Bikaner
193; of Rajasthan Ltd. 172, 194;

' Postal Savings, Bank 192^bnjgb
Nationalk^^iririCtd. ^ 122.7^.4^

1 , 8 /;;

m^^Ban096;'sTa'te'^nfW
& 5^11^372,124; State"
Bank '-'192,^1513; Uni^d
dbq^ercia^^aBlr^t«5.'172/194

Bahiang Jb r q tdf^^^mmittee fl929)

186l')hy'

Banmali Das 40, 41
Bap 2

Bar Association 225
Bar Singh 27
Barahgawar 350
Barani areas 277
Barhai Chaulh 36
Barley 243

Barsalpur (also Barssaipur) 148,289
Barsingbsar 140

2b6

I Battle 26. 47
i Baw&ria 385

432

Bay of Bengal 14
Bayley, C. S. 80
Begar 279

Beggars Vagrants 233

Behari Lai 354

Bellary 40

Bengal 32, 147

Beniwal Pargana 53

Besungpeer 207

Bhadra 47, 53; -tahsil 53

Bhadra Ram 355

Bhagchand Bhati 40

Bhagwat Parana 354

Bhairon Ratan Matri Pathshala 350

Bhairun (also Bhairo) 25, 98, 420

Bhairun Singh 61

Bhakhra

-and Rajasthan Canal Projects
310; -Hydel power 158; -Nangal
Grid 157

Bhand 385
Bhang 384

Bhangi 385
Bharat

-Sewak Samaj 403; -Yuvak-
Samaj 404
Bharat Vyas 356
Bharu or Bharru 5, 319
Bhati(s) 22, 23. 24. 26, 35, 37, 42.
46, 54. 266; -Rajput 1 19; -Rao
25,417; -Thakurs40
Bhati, R. N. 401
Bhatia

-tank 3, 128, -Village 128
Bhatinda 22, 159, 162, 172, 213,214,
413

Bbatiyanwala 393

Bhatncr 19, 20, 22, 23, 29, 30, 33, 44.

50, 53; ~Fort 31
Bhatti(s) 48, 50; Chief 51
Bhatti Khan Bahadur 50
Bhava Bhatta 355

Bhira Singh 44, 46; -of Mahajan 44

Biramdeo 30
Bhimraj 29, 30

Bhinarsar 84, 142, 315, 322, 323
-Municipality 327; -town 85
Bhinl-ka-bach 267
Bhoodan 282; -Yagna Board 28 2
Bhujia 114, 171
Bhukarka 43
Bbunga 267
Bhutneer 70
Bichhwal 9, 10, 12, 140
Bida 25,26,28,54
Badasar 61, 163
Bidawatfs) 28, 54, 58
Bigor 50

Bijay Singh 46,47,49,50
Bika (also see Rao Bika) 1,24,25,26.
27,28,37, 54,81, 91,115, 119, 120.
261,266,411,413,414.420.422
Bika Bhimrajot 41
Bika-ki-Tekri 413.416
Bikampur 38, 46

I Bikaner (also Beekaner or Bikaneer)
9, 12, 13, 16, 17. 18, 24, 27,
29, 30, 31, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41,
42. 43, 44, 45. 47. 48, 49, 52, 53,
55, 56,57, 58,59, 62,63,64, 65, 66,
67,69.70. 85. 90, 94. 97, 99,
139, 141, 142, 143, 145, 146, 148,
158, 159, 161, 162, 165, 167, 168,
169, 170, 176, 185, 186, 199, 201,
205, 206, 207. 208. 213, 214, 215,
216.217,225.238.240.241,242,244,
247,249, 252. 262, 266, 273, 275,
277, 286, 288. 293. 295, 296, 306,
311,312.313.315,316 317,319,
320, 329, 340, 344, 352. 353, 356,
358, 361, 374. 377, 378. 387, 389,
396. 402, 404, 412, 417; -and
Jodhpur divisions 317; -Banking
Enquiry Committee 185, 188,
196; -Chief 37; -Chief

433

Court 261; -City 1, 3. 6, 25, 26,

42, 59, 63, 84, 144, 156, 158,
166, 172, 193,210, 213, 223, 241.
349, 350, 368, 371, 390, 391,
398, 399, 407, 408; -Compulsory
Primary Education Act (1928)
326; -Conspiracy Case 66; -Dak
Bungalow 215; -Darbar 80;-Day
66; -district 2, 4, 16, 17, 19,21,
24, 83, 86, 129, 135, 156, 161,
165, 177, 191,201, 216, 222. 230,
232, 234, 238. 250, 253, 255, 264,
270, 278, 305, 314, 322, 343,
352, 395,405, 411; -division 8,
19,61,383; -dynasty 29; -employ-
ment market 249; -force(s) 42,

43, 51. 59; -fort 26, 32, 357, 413;
founder of 24; -gadi 39; -gypsum
383: -High Court 322; -Hindu
Marriage Act (1928) 103; -Jail
301,*-Mahila Grih Udyog 360;
-Mahila MandalGrih UdyogSah-
fcari Saraiti 360, 404;-Mandi 200;

-Municipal Act 321; -Municipal
Board 324; -Municipal Council

(Municipality) 32-!, 323, 326,
336. 341; -Nizamat 1, 2, 278;
-North 2, 262, 277; -north sub-
division 83; -Officers (officials)
48, 50; -Panchayat Samiti 1 34.
140, 332, 33S; -party 39; -police
station 29S; -political case com-
mittee 66; -Prisons Act (1927)
30t; -Public Gambling Act(I923)
304; -Railway 146,213; -Railway
S'.ation 297;~Rajya P/sja Manda!
67 : - Representative Assembly 6 1 ;
-ruler 43.44; -School 354;-south
2 , 262, 277; -south sub-dhision
83; -Specific Relief Act (1923)
304; -State 1, 2. 7, 19, 20, 22,23,
24, 50, 53, 54, 61, 64, 65, 67,

78, 79,85,91,95, 115, 190. 194.
196, 198, 203, 205, 213,. 216,
242, 261, 266, 271, 277, 279.
285, :87, 297, 302, 308, 318,
321, 322. 326, 329, 343, 350,
365, 383; -State Code of Civil
Procedure (1920) 304; -State Co-
operative Societies Act (1920)
191; -State Government 195, 283;
-Slate Land Revenue Act 276;
-State Limitation Act (1920)
304; -Stale Motor Spirit Ration-
ing Order (1941)203; -State Rail-
way Employees’ Co-operative
Society 190; -State Registration
Act (1916) 304; -State Savings
Bank 65; -Station 217; -TahsiS
4, 83, 86, 129, 149, 222, 268,
269, 272, 273. 274. 275, 337,
390, 392, 407; -territory 43, 45;
throne 261; -troops 45, 52; -vill-
age panchayat Act 329; -Woollen
Press 156; -wool 166
Bilingualism 89

Biramsar 163
Birds 1 1

Birth rate 36S; -and death rate 367,
368

Bisbnois 10, 89, 94
Bithu G<'pi Dan 356
Black buck 10, 417, 419
Black cap 11
Blacksmith 42
Black-out 405

Blankets 156
Blind school 348
Blue bull 10, 417 .

Board(s)

Dfstrict 328; Bhoodan yagna
282; Municipal 321, 326, 327,
32f; -of Revenue 275, 277; -of
Secondary Education 348 ,

Bombay 66, 157, 166, 170,20

Border 56; -area 54, 319; -district
405

Borstal Institution 301
Boundary 50, 55
Bradford, Captain 58
Brahat Gujarat Sangit Samiti 349
Brahmacharyashram 65, 200
Brahinan(s) (also Brahmin) 99, 105,
111, 186, 340
Breeding season 1 1
Bricks 20

Brigadier-General G.S.P. Lawrence
56

Bristol 60

British 53. 54, 55, 56, 58, 62, 64;
-dominions 57;-Empire Exhibition
198; -Force 58; -Government 48,
52,53, 54, 55, 56, 58.59,62,68,69,
72,75; -India 65, 66, 68, 78.185,
205; -Officer 62; -Provinces 65;

-Resident 53; -territory 70;
-troops 53

Buddha 91

Buddhist 20

Buffalo 138

Bundi 361

Burglary 76, 292

Burhanpur 32, 34, 36, 41, 414

Burton, Captain 56, 58, 216

Bye-Election(s) 391, 392

Cabinet mission 64
Cabul 70

Calcutta 67, 166, 170
Camel 135; -corps 59, 60, 366
Capital 1, 26, 30, 143, 321, 41 1
Caste(s) (also see Scheduled Cas-
tes) 89, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106,
107, 113, 385, 386, 388

Cattle 137; —Fairs (also sec fairs)
142, 155; -Guards 8; -theft 76

Census 83, 84, 85, 87. 88, 109, 124,
221. 222, 228, 231, 232, 235.
237, 238, 249, 349, 385, 411.
417,419, 421, 422
Central

-Arid Zone Research Institute 8,
9; -Assembly 62; -Bank of India
194; -Co-operative Bank Ltd. 172,
192, 194; -Government Depart-
men t(s) 249; -Statistical Organi-
sation 1; -Telegraph Office,
Bikaner 216
Ceremony 104
Chahamanas 22, 23
Chahi 273

Chalukyas (Solankis) 23
Chamar (also see Scheduled Caste)
93. 95, 385

Chamber of Princes 60
Chancellor 60
Chandasar 25, 417
Chandi 160
Chandra Mahal 415
Chandra Sen 32
Charan(s) 25, 44, 356, 417
Charan wala, village 129
Charkhas 147
Charles Metcalf 53, 69, 71
ChauhaD(s) 22, 23, 24; -Ajaya Deva
23; -of Dadrewa 28
Chayal(s) 30; -Rajputs 28
Chayalwara territory 28
Chhabili ghati 400; -Goga gate 399
Chhanda Rao Jait Singhro 356
Chhapar 35, 53
Cilhatar Singh 58
Chhatra Mahal 415
Chhattargarh 311

Chief(s) 26, 47, 52,53,58, 69. 74;
-Judge 261; -Medical Officer 367;
-Minister 63
Chieftain 54

435

Chila 148

Chikitsa Maltimala 355
Child

-labour 227; -stealing 76
China medal 60

China wares & Potteries, Bikaner 172
Chini burj 59 415
Chinkara 10, 12, 362
Chopra

-building 399; -katla building ^47
Choiasan 47

Chowdharis 266, 267, 268, 269
Christian(s) 89, 97; -Marriage Act
. 106

Cburu 1, 35, 50, 5?, 53, 66. 145,
185. 196, 213. 262 273. 277, 286,
311, 312, 317, 383; -district 28,
55, 56, 67. 314, 318, 343, 389,
390; -tahsil 389
Cinema Houses

Ganga iheaire 413; Prakash
Chitra 413; Vishwajyoti 413
Circuit House, Bikaner 215
Civil 57; -Courts Ordinance (1950)
306; -Procedure Code 304,
306; -Surgeon 3ui, 367
Climate 12
Cloudiness 14
Cnal mine 59
Cobra 1 1

Cold Storage Unit at Bikaner 166
Colcridne, Dr. 365, 366, 371
Collecior :62, 263.307, 3M, 335,

405; -additional 264; -his court
277

Collcgefsl

B-J. S R. 346; -Degree College
35l:~Dung3r College 299, 346
34S; Dunsar Memorial College,
345; -Education 34] ; Jain Degree
College 346; Mahanmi Sudar-
shna College for Women 3*16,350;

Mayo College 59, 340; -Nehru
Sarada Peeth 346, 403; Teachers
College 224; -of Vcteiinary and
Animal Husbandry Science 347
Colonisation Commissioner 310
Colonisation Minister 276
Commanders 27
Commerce 88, 349
Commercial Taxes Officer Appeals
286

Commission 61
Commissioner 277
Committees municipal 321
Communist 390, 393; -Right 397;
-Marxist 397

Community Development 250, 252
Compulsory

-insurance 224; -Primary Educa-
tion Act 341; -State Insurance
Scheme 195
Communication 62
Confederacy 30

Concress 65, 389, 391, 392, 393,
394. 397

Consolidation of holding 251
Constituency 389, 390, 391, 393
Constitution Committee 64
Constituent Assem ly 64, 68
Cooperative

-Credit System 189; -Movement
190 31 7; -Society 404; -Societies
Act 190, 191
Coronation 60

Cotton Cloth and Yarn (Control)
Order (1943) 204
Cotton Ginning &. Baling 178
Council 58, 63

Cour((s) 75. 303; -Collectoiatc 277;
High Court 62. 304 322; Munfif
Court 307; -Of wards 27U, 271;
-of Tahsildars 277
Cow 137

436

Crime(s) 292, 293

Criminal 57; -Procedure Code 306^
307

Cripps Mi'Sion 64
Crops 144

Culpable homicide 76
Cultivators 87, 88

Customs 275; -Act and Manual and
Tariff 285; -and Excise Depart*
ment 285; -Office 318

Dabgar 385
Dabli 50
Dacoits 55

Dacoity (Dacoitee) 54, 56, 75, 2 2
Dada-ji-ka-Mela 1 19
Dadav 3

Daga Building 357, 401
Dak Bungalow(s) 215, 413
Dal Mills 180

Dalpat Singh 33, 34, 35, 36, 8l

Damodar Trilok 356

Dams 32, 266

Dara 38, 39

Darogas 89, 95

Darshani 1 87

Dash-Kumar Prabandh 356
Daitayvez 188
Daulatabad 37
Daulatkhan 28

Dawa-Silwa, a village 6, 163
Dearness allowance 223
Death

Causes of 369; -feasts 190; -late
367, 368

Deccan 32, 36, 39, 40, 41, 42
Defence fund 405
Degree College 351
Dchra Dun 349
Deities 416

Delhi 6, 29, 32, 35, 36,37. 39, 42,
48,53,55, 66, 166, 170, 171, 172,
213; -Sultan 25
Deluxe Hotel 215

Democratic Decentralisation 250,
263; -Scheme 122, 351
Department (s)

-of Commerce and Industry 198;
-of Customs and Excise 285; -of
education 401; -of Excise and
Taxation 285; -Industries 206;
-Revenue and Irrigation 276
Deputy District Development Officer
263

Derawar 22
Desert 22, 23, 25, 319
Deshnoke 9, 25, 44, 48. 141,142,168,
315, 323, 344, 351; -Fair 117;
-Hospital 374; -Municipality 328;
-Police Station 296: -town 85.
417

Development 331; -blocks 352

Developmental works 3 19

Devhuti 116

Devikund 54, 418, 422

Dewan 57. 61

Dliaman 10

Dhankia 385

Dharmpura 300

Dharamshala{s) 215, 388, 413, 4 IS,
420, 421, 422
Dharm Shastra 356
Dheda 385

Dhirera (also Dheerera) 5, 159, 288;

-Railway station 159
Dholera 5
Dhonkal Singh 51
Dhuan, a house tax 267, 290
Dialect(s) 89, 356
Diarrhoea 369
Didwana 45, 239
Dip Kunwar 419

437

Director 313, 340; -of Civil Supplies
203; -of Education 63; -of
Primary and Secondary Educa-
tion 402

Directorate of Economics and
Statistics 243
Diseases 370, 371
Dispensaries, list of 380
District(s) 1, 2, 3. 12, 17, 56, 83, 87,
97, 99, 100,103, 110, 131, 139,
221, 227, 292, 317, 340, 344, 372,
383, 405; -Administration 317;
-and sessions judge 264: -Board(s)
328,329; -Board Act (1935) 328;
-Development Officer 262, 263;
-Employment Officer 247; -Jail
Hospital, Bikaner 373; -Level
Officers, list of 265; -Level
Officers, meeting of 264;
-Magistrate 2, 66, 262, 263;
-ofNSgaur 37; -ol Rajasthan
205; -Record Officer 262; -Sirsa
72

Divisional Commissioner 2, 262, 277

Divisional Forest Officer 8

Diwan Rao Mehta Bakhtawar 48

Diyatra 289, 296

Dome 385

Domination 25

Draught 403

Dravidian 21

Dress III

Drinking v^aier 37 1

Drishad Vati 19

Dronpur 28

Dry land 19

Duda 27

DuahwakhSra 67 j

DufT'jrlrt 7K .. i

Dalmera 5. 6. 159, 162, 213, 412 !

418 , 'j

Dungar College 299, 346, 348 |

Dungar Memorial College 341
Dungar Singh 48, 58, 59, 82, 197,
198, 261,415
Dnngargarh 390
Dangarpur 42
Durand, H. M. 78
Durbar 24, 25, 39, 53, 270
Dttrga saptasari 353
Dwarika 117
Dysentery 369

Earthquakes 7

Edinburg (also Edinburgh) 60
Education 319,340.341,347, 405;
Adult 351; Board of Secondary

348; College 341; -Department
342,349,351,359; Director of 340;
Director of Primary and Secon-
dary 402; General 345; -for Girls
350; Primary 334,341,351; Profe-
ssional 345; Social 351; Special
345, 351: Women 351

Educational

-Institutions 351; -Levels 236;
-Press 400
Edward Trevelyan 53
Egerton 415
Egypt 60

Elcction{s) 323, 332; Bye 391, 392;
Details of General 406-410; First
General 389,406, 407; Fourth
General 393,409-410; Second
General 389,406.408; State Ass-
embly 390; Third General 390,
392. 396, 397, 406, 408
Electric power 59
Elphinstone 52, 133
Emigration 84

Emperor 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39.
48, 361; -Ahmad Shah ,48;
-Alnrngtr II 48; -Parruk Siyar
197; -labangir 32-/-33; -of -Delhi
54

438

Employment 247; -Exchange 247,248,
249; -in Woollen, Carpet making
or shawl weaving establishments
256; -Market information 249;
-Market Information Programme
247; -of childrcn Act 315;

Emporia of Rajasthan 170
Engineering 349
England 60

English East India Company 69
Enquiry Committee 185
Entertainment 334
Epidemices 84

Erskine, K. D. Major, 156, 209, 216,
239, 244, 366

Establishment Reporting System 249
Europe 63

European(s) 56, 72; -countries 63
Excise

-Manual 285; -stamps 275
Extradition 78; -Treaty 57,75

Factories Act 165, 315
Factories,' list of 178, 182
Fagan, P.J. 58, 268
Fair(s)115: cattle 142, 154, 155; |
-Beshnoke 117; Jain 1 19; Jctha '
Bhutta 118; Kcnyara 118; Kod-
emdesar 118; Kolayat 1 16, '154;
Mabajan cattle 154; Mokam
116; Naginiji 118; Nar Singh
Chaturdashi 118; Naukha Cattle
154; Kidmalsar 1 19; Shiv Bari
118; Sujandesar 118
Family Planning 318.319

Faminep) 55,59,143, 147,403; -relief
331

Far East 63
Farm workers 226
Famik Slwhi rupee 197
-Fatchgjrh 50
Fatehpur 28
Paitfdar 36

Fatijkharch 51
Fauna 10
Field publicity 319
Fine & Pharmaceutical, Chemicals
etc. 182

First and Second Five ‘Year Plans
(also see Planj 173
First Five Year Plans (also see Plan)
209,250.343,344,'377,378
First General Election(s) 389, 406,
407

Five Year Plan (also see Plan) 131,
263

Flowers 99
Fodder 137, 147
Folk songs 111

Foodgrains Control'Order 203,241
Foodgrain Futures and Option Pro-
hibition' Order (1942) 241
Follow-up Survey 245
Forces of Jaipur 51
Forest(s) 10,156; -Department 7, 8,
9; -Guards 8; -Nursery 9
Forgery 76

Fort(s) 25, 26, 29. 32,42,44,47,49,50,
52, 54, 357,413, 414; -of Bhatncr
42,51; -Bikaner 26, 32, 357, '413;
Old Fort 44
Forward Block 397
Fourth General Eleclion(s) 393, 409,
410

France 60,63
Franchise 64
Freeman 60
Fullers’ Earth 5

Gadi 46, 58

Gadia Lohar Co-operative Society
at Bikaner 168
Gai Bhitm ka Bahru 30
Gaj Mandir 355, ^15

Gaj Singh 46, 4?, 48, 49, 50, 82,
143, 197, 354, 419

Gausliala(s) 142; . -at . BhinSsar,
Bikaner, Deshnoke, Napasar and

Gajanand 356

Gajner 10, 12, 16, 52, 126, 168,
419; -Lake 3; -Palace 362;
-police station 296; -preserve 8

Gambling Act of (1889) 304
Game Sanctuaries 12
Gandhara 20
Gandhi

-Adhyayan Kendra 358; -caps 65;
-Shanti Pratishlhan 358
Gang Canal 62, 261, 276
Ganga (also Gances) 35, 95
Ganga Golden Jubilee Tuber Culbsis
Hospital, Bikaner 373
Ganga Niwas 360, 414, 415
Ganga, Rao of Jodhpur 29

Ganga Shahar 6, 84, 140, 163, 168,
216, 322, 323, 326, 344, 378, 402,
412; -Hospital 374; -Municipa-
lity 326; -town 85

Ganga Singh 48, 59, 62, 64, 66, 82,
126, 197, 198 , 261.271,278,280,
283. 294. 303, 304. 356, 360, 372,
415,416, 418
Ganga Theatre 413
Ganganagar 7, 185, 191, 196, 262,
273, 276, 278, 286, 295, 311, 312,
315, 329, 351, 383, 389; -District
I, 22, 23. 40, 42, 50, 67, 314,
318, 343; -Division 261,276
Gangarada 47
Gangasarowar 3
Ganpati Niwas 59
Gr.nthil 10
Garabadesar 46

Gnfoor or Garora 385
Gsrsar Police Station 29f>

Garwra Brahniln 94

Naukba 142
Gavaria 385
Gaya 54 .

Gazette oj India 79
Genealogy of the rulers 81
General Arnold 53
General Education. 342, 345

General Elections (also see elections) -
406-410

General Elpbinstonc 12
Geneva 60

Geological History 4
Geological Survey Laboratory 161
George Thomas 50
Ghaggar 19; -Canal 59, 144
Gharisar 163
Ghazni 23

Girda\var(s) 276, 293; -Circles
262, 263, 277; -Inspector and
Patwar Circles in Bikaner ,
District, list of 288*289
Girdhari Lai 400,401
Girls’ Schools 342; Primary 350
Gita Govinda 353, 355
God Hanuman 51
Godnra 26
Godwar 48
Goga Gate 41 1
Gogaji 94, 98
Gogra 71
Gokal 148,

Gokul 354
Golconda 40
Golden Jubilee 63, 360
Gopal Krishna 40}

I Gopal Printing Press 399, 40t
Gopalpura 61
Goshalns 142

Govemmeat 66, 74. 78, 157, |69,
187, 24 L 267, 285, 311, 321

440

323, 326. 329, 330, 335, 341, 386;
-high school 63; -Hospital,
Gajner 374; -Labor Welfare
Centre 176; -of Bikaner 185;
-of India 1, 5, 63, 134, 172,
287, 306, 373; -of Rajasthan 9,
159, 171, 273, 314, 327, 348,
362, 386, 387, 401; -Policies

317; -Poly-technic, Bikaner
174; -Press 166, 401,462
Governor 40; -General 53, 55,56, 58,
61, 69, 72, 75, 79; -of Bhatner
35; -of Surat 32
Govind Narain 400, 401
Grains 11

Gram 239, 240, 241, 242, 243
Gram Panchayats 337
Gramdan 282
Gramsabhas 282
Grass hoppers 11
Gratuity scheme 224
Great Indian bustard 11, 362
Great Indian Desert 2, 19
Greeks 21
Green Hotel 215
Grit (Bajari) 6
Groves 9
Gtiar 242

Gndah village 127
Gujarat 22, 31
Gujarati Rajput Style 353
Gujarmal, Rao 45
Gulab Kumari Shekhawat 360
Qulamwala 392
Gulu and Hasan 354
Guptas 21
Guriala 139
Gurjaras 22
Guru Gorakhnath 119
Gypsum 5, 166, 249; -mine(s) 171;
—Min# Workers Union, Jam'^ar
399

Habitation 19
Hakims 275, 365
Hakra 20
Hakumats 275
Halgat 267
Hali 267
Hamera 148
Hamid Ahmad 354
Hamid Ruknuddin 354
Hansi 56

Hanumangarh 19, 20, 22, 23, 29, 51,
146, 361,413
Haqq daiil 267

Harappa 20: -Culture 20; -Period
19, 21

Hares 10, 12

Harijans 65, 405

Harish Bhadani 401

Harkaras 38

Hasan Khan Bhatti 44

Hasan Mahamud 354

Hashim 36

Hasil 266

Hastinapur 21

Hath Udhar 188

Hathi Singh Champawat 35

Havaldars 267, 275

Hayat Khan 40

Hazari Lai Tyagi 398

Heirlooms 27

Herman Goetz 20, 21

High Court 62, 304

High Schools 345, 351, 352

Higher Secondary Schools 351

Highway 54

Hills 2,10

Himalayan boundary 6
Hindi 63; -poetry 354; -Sahitya
Sammelan 359

Hindu(s) 41, 89, 95, 97, 100, 105,
107; -Inheritance and Succession

441

Act (1056) 101; -Law 74, 101, j
102, 106; -Marriage Act (1955)
106; -Society 100, -Succession
Act (1956) 101
Hindukush mountains 7
Hing Laj Mata 98
His Highness Silver Jubilee 145
Hisar 25, 26, 28, 30, 35, 36, 45, 47,
48, 56; -territory 26
Home Guards 405
Hospitals 62, 372, 388; A. P.
Hospital, Pogal 374; Deshnoke
374; Dispensaries, Hospitals and
Primary Health Centres, list of
382; District Jail Hospital,
Bikaner 373; Ganga Golden
Jubilee Tuberculosis Hospital,
Bikaner 373; -Gangashahr 374;
General 372; Govt. Hospital,
Gajner 374; Military Hospital,
Bikaner 373;. Northern Railway,
Hospital, Lalgarh 374; Palana
374; Police line HospitaJ,Bikaner
373; Prince Bijai Singh Memorial
Women’s Hospital 373; Railway
Hospital, Bikaner 374; -Rajas
than Medical Department 403;
Zenana 373
Hostel 347

House Rent Allowance 223

Household Industry 230, 234, 236,
238, 254
Htikmanama 270
Humayun 29
Humidity 14, 17
Hukum Engineering Works 16S
Htikumafs 267
rnmdis 187

fjara 266

Imptria! 45; -Army 29, 30,, 38;
-Court 32,34,35, 4|‘-db'pkasurc

' 34, 39; -forces 36; -messenger

39; -Post offices 216; -postal
unity 216; -Service 31, 366;
-Service camel corps 145;
-Service regiment 60; - throne
38; -troops 27; -War cabinet
60

Indaka Baia 6, 160
Indebtedness 189
Independence 64
Independent 390, 391, 392, 397
Indigenous Bankers 186
Indcr Raj 52

India 20, 21, 43, 55, 58, 59, 61, 62,
63, 64, 65, 68, 74, 86, 137, 157,
167, 299, 349, 353, 405

i Indian

-Army 60; -Boilers Act 315;
-Civil Service 80; -Council of
Agricultural Research 138;
-desert 411; -Divorce Act 106;
-Evidence Act 306; -Historyl93;
-National Congress 65, 395;
-Penal Code 306, 307; -Red
Cross Society 403; -Registration
Act (1908) 283; -Round Table
Conference 60; -Sculpture 361
Indigenous bankers 187
Indigenous system of medicine 377
Indo»Pak border 319
Indology 358

Industrial

-area 168; -Estate 165. 167, 172,
176; -Training Institute, Bikaner
174

Industry 334, 383
Infanticide 54
Influenza 84

I Inmates , of penal, mental, and
I charitable instiiotions 233
1 Instcis il

442

Inspector General 295; -of police
294: -of Customs and Excise 285

Insurance 194, 226, 383
Interim Government 64, 68
Iron Age 21

Irrigation 59, 137; -works 334
Ishwari Singh 46
Islam 41

Ismail Kuli Khan 32
J

J. Adam 71
Jackal 10
Jackson 55
Jagat Singh 51

Jagir(s) 36, 43, 145; -lands 270;,
- Militia 293; -villages 67
Jagirdars 8, 57, 61, 67, 92, 303
Jahangir 361; -his reign 36
Jai Appa Sindhia 47
Jai Jangaldhar Badshah 39
Jai Narain Vyas 66
Jai Singh 354; -of Jaipur 45
Jail

Bikaner 301; Central 300, 301,
302, 366; -Dispensary 302;

District 300,301, 302; -Pancha-
yat 302; -Pathshala 350
Jaimal 30

Jaimal and Patta 414
Jain(s) 89, 91, 97; -bronze image
362; -Degree College, Bikaner
346; -fair 119; -Priests 365
Jaipur 46, 50, 51, 96, 171, 172, 2l6,
293, 313, 317, 353, 354;

-Maharaj 45; -Radio station-
217; -Ruler 44, 50
Jaimalsar 5

Jaisalmer 22, 26, 28, 36, 37, 47, 59,
311; -district 1, 2; -State 22
Jakhaniyan 37

Jamadars 216
Jambhcslnvarji 116, 421

Jamsar 5, 139, 159, I66„ 171„. 176,
288

Janardhan Bhall.355
Jangal territory 21

Janglu 24, 25, 148, 419; -territory
25

Jan Sangh 391, 392, 393, 397
Japri 37
Jarasar 330
Jariba 269

Jasrasar 289; -Police station>296
Jassusar gate 41 1
Jaswant Singh 58

Jat(s.) 23, 25, 26,36, 68, 89, 92,.
186

Jawahar Press, Bikaner 401
Jesulmer 207

Jet Singh 29,47; -Rawal 28

Jetha Bhutta fair 118

Jetsar 7

Jetsii Rao 81

Jhajba 148

Jhambho ji 94

Jhans or Jhansal 26

Jhujhar Singh 36

Jhunjhunu 286, 312; -district 319

Jingar 385

Jodha 25,27; -Rao 24

Jodhpur 24,25.27,29,30,42,43,44,45, .
46,47,48,50,55,91,172,213,239.261,
313,353.354,413,414; -Army .24;'
43, 52; -border 59; -district. 1;
-division, 8, 44; -Gadi 29, 51;

-ruler 44; -Sirdars 51;:-troops,
43, 45

Jogai25

j Jogira Talao 6
Johar, Bir 8, 9, 10

Johiya(s) 22, 23, 28, 40, 42, 44;

-War territory 22
^ Jowar 241,243

443

Judge

District 307,* District and Sessions
264, 299; Sessions 301, 306
Judicial

-Functions 332; -system 303
Judiciary, Separation of 62
Jugal Kishore'Josbi 400
Junior Basic Schools 351
Jurists 224
Justice 66
Jwalaprasad 54

Kabas 417,418

Kabul 12, 32, 33, 36, 52, 55, 422;

-expedition 58
Kachhawahas 23,33
Kaisar-i-Hind 60
Kalbelia 385
Kalidas 353
Kalikaran Kchrot 25
Kalu 350

Kalyan Mai Lodha 52

Kalyan Singh (Rao) 29,30,31,81,418

Kalyanmal 28

Kalyanmal, Rao 353

Kamad 385

Kamdars 271,280

Kararan 29

Kanchi 117

Kandhal, Rao'24,25,2r>

Kangra 6
Kanjar 385
Kmkcra 10
Kannauj 22.27
Kaoni 319
Kanungo 265
Kanvni $

Ran'var Charter Ssr.^'h 356
'Kanya Patnsbala 550
RrtpU Musi t!6, 117,420
RapUayatan 116

j Kapra Rangai Chhapai Utpadak
Sahkari Samiti Ltd. .Bikaner 170

Karachi 157

Karam Chand 32,36,414

Karan Singh 37,38.39,40,81,354.355

Karanpur 7

Kami Singh (Maharja) 360
Karniji 25, '44, 48, 98, 117, 417
Rasi 117
Kasids 216

Kasturba memorial fund 67
Kautuka Sarodwar 355
Kayam Khanis 28
Keatinge, R. H. 77
Kcnyara fair 1 1 8
Kerali Suryyarmasya 356
Kesari Singh 38,39
Key Village Scheme 1^0
Khadi 65,249; -and Village Industries
Board of India 169; -Bhandar 67;
Ooni Giah Udyog 169; -Gramo.
dyog Pratishthan 16y;-Mandir
169: -Organisation 147
Khaha 267, 269, 270 27!^, 273, 279;

-Villages 58, 277
Khan Azam 33
\ Khan Khana 32
Khan of Nagaur 28,29,3 1
Khandcla 27
Khandi 188
Khanejahan Lodi 36
Khangarh 5!

Khara 148
Kharbara 40,129
JC/ianr 240
Khata Pet a 1 88
Khatcdnri rights 281
. Khotedars 279
' Khatic 385

’ Khejri in

KhcfM h!af.i 94
I Khctri Raja 55

444

Khiali of Jaipur 55
Khillat 53,54
Khillut 72
Khoji 295
Khokhera 330
Khorasaun 70
Khuda Bakhsha 50,51
Khudi 3

Khunta bandi and Pancharai 279
Khurdgot 293
Khursan 33
Khwaja

-Hasan 36; -Miiinuddin Chishti 31
Khyata 24 !

Kilns 20

King Edward VII 60
King Emperor George V 357
Kingdom 22,23,30,31
Kinia 3

Kisan Janata 389,406
Kisan Janata Samyukta Party 389
Kisans 67
Kismidesar 6,161

Kolayat 3,19, 124,129, 134, 139,141,

1 42, 160, 1 64,1 66,250,277,289,37 1 ,
390, 396, 401, 408, 410; -Cons-
tituency 392; -fair 116; -lake 1 17;|
-Out-post 296; -Panchayat Samiti
332, 339; -tahsil 2,4,5,6,10,83,86,
148,215,262,268,269,272,273,274,
275,337; -Village 420
Koli 385
Korad 279

Koramdesar 9, 25.26, 140, 142; -fair
118

Kota 313

Kotc Gate 357,411,412,414
Kotri 6,160
Krait 1 1

Krishan.Sliankat Tiwari, Pandit 356
Kshatriyas 94,99
Kuchaman 51

Kukoo 207
Kumbha Asan 358
Kumbhana 288
Kunta 266
Kttru Jaugalah 21
Kushanas 21

Labour Welfare 383, 384; -Centre,
Bikaner 384; -Centre, Jamsar 384

Lachhi Ram 96
Ladnu 57,389

Lady Elgin Girls School 350

Lag 266, 283

Lakelets 3

Lakes 23

Lakshmi Das 41

Lakshmi Narain Temple 96

Lakshmi Printing Press 398

Lai Chand Vyas 399

Lai Singh 47, 415; -of Bhadra 44

Laleshwar 118

Lalgarh (also Lallgarh) 320, 353,
-Outpost 298; -palace 360,415

Lalgir 95,96,412
Lalit Kumar Azad 398
Land Revenue Act 263
Language 41, 88, 358; -of the State
356

Large Scale farming 246

Lalai and Batai 271

Law of Primogeniture 100

Laxmi Narain 41

Laxmikumari Chundawat 356

Laxminarain Pujasar 355

Laxminarain Stuti 355

League of Nations 60

Legal practitioners Act (1925) 308

Legislation 61

Legislative Assembly 61,64,390
Letter Press and Lithography, Print'
ing and Book Binding 181
Levies 63

445

Lieutenant A. H. E. Boileau 207
Life Insurance Corporation of India
195

Lighting 328
Limestone 6
Liquor 384"

Litigation 190
Livelihood Pattern 238
Livestock 137

Local Self-Government 62,32'i
Loco shed 320
Lodha 52
Lohasana 55
Lokmat Karyalaya 399
Lok Sabha 389
London 60,66
Lord Irwin 62
Ludasar Tank 46
Lunkaran (Rao) 27,28,81,416,421
Ltlnkaransar 3,5,10, 13, 16,85, 129,
134.139,141,142,148,159,199,201,
2 1 6,250,268,277,288,296,305,31 1,
322,323,344,371,390.391,396,402,
408,409,410; -Constituency 392;
-Panchayat Samiti 332,339;
-Poljee Station 296; -tahsil 2,4,

83,86,149,262.269^72, 273, 274,
275.337

Machali 30

Madho Singh of Jaipur 47
Madhya Pradesh 147
Madhyyya-Karika 356
Madras 147
Mcdrcya Janyalnh 21
Magan^’ ala 392

M agist ratefs) 57, 301; -District

30i. 306‘. Mun-df 306; Sub-
Divisional 306

Ma%ro 4,!6,39Cf

hfah:ibharata -21

Mahajan Chieftain 49
Mahajan, village 46, 57, 139, 141,
216, 288
Mahals 26

Maharaja (also Maharajah) 12,40,
4 1 . 42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,5 1 ,
52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60.61,62,
63,64,65.66.67 68,69,70,72,75,77,
81,82,96,12 ,144,197,198,261,270,
271,278,280,283,294,303.322,354,
355, 356, 357;358.360,365, 372.412.
415,418

Maharana 42, 48; -Amar Singh 33;

-of Mewar 48; -of Udaipur 44,54
55;

Maharani Sudarshan College 346,
350

Maharisbi Kard&m 116
Mahashanti 356
Mahatma Gandhi 65
Maheshwari 186; -Printing Press
399, 400, 401,402 Mahila
-Jagiriti Parishad 350, 351, 404;
-Mandal 171,350,351,403; -Sans-
kar Kendra, Bikaner 386
Mainasar 51
Maize 242
Majhabi 385

Major 55
Makrana 418
Makrfi^ar 5
Malaria 369
Mai Singh 356
Malarial fever 84
Malba 267

j Malba or Ppcldwlra 279
! Maldeo 2930; -of Jodhpur 32
j Malhar Rao Holbar 46
; MalUs Khan 27
I Maln'.anrU D; par trier, t 205

Mahaianls) (or
1 85. 340

Banias) 56, £9, Mabesh 36

.| Mar. Mg! 96

446

Mansab 32, 37, 39, 40, 48
Mansabdar 36
Man Singh 28,33,35,51,52
Managers 226
Manchester 60
Mandala 25
Mandan 25
Mandanwar 25
Mandhara Singh 354
Mandis 62,188,253
Mandor 90

Mangi Lai Mathur 399
Mani Ram Dixit 355
Mankarasar 148
Mann 116
Manufacturing

-of Bicycles 182; -of Ice 182
Maratha(s) 41,46, 47
Marh, a village (also Madh) 6, 160,
216

Market Committee 201
Maroth 50; -fort of 36
Marriagefs) 104,105,106
Marwar 22, 24, 35, 91, 213, 353;
-Junction 213

Marwari(s) 87, 110 111; -women
119

Maternity Benefit Act 315
Matrimony 37
Mauryas 21

Mayo College, Ajmer, 59, 340

Meat 1 1

Medical

-Department 367, 375;'expcnses
245; -Relief 405; -Science 345
Meerut 53
Meghduta 353
Meghraj Mukul 356
Mcghwal(s) 89, 93. 94, 385, 388
Mehta Bakhtawar Singh 48
Mchtar 3p.S

Members of the British Parliament
66

Merchants 61

Merger 318, 320, 345; -of State with
Rajasthan 8
Merta 27, 30, 44, 46
Meteorological Observatory 13
Mewar 28, 33, 48, 353, 361
Middle

-and Primary Schools 224; -East
front 60; -School(s) 344, 351,
352

Milch cattle 10

Military Hospital, Bikaner 373
Milk Supply Schemes 171
1 Minerals 5

Minimum Wages Act (1948) 176,
245; -list of wages 256-259
Mining, Quairying, Livestock and
Allied Activities 230, 234, 236,
254

Ministcr(s) 49, 63
Mirgarh 50
Mirza

-Abdur Rahim 32; -Muhammad
Hussain 31; -Rustam 34
Mitakshara Law 101
Mithri 5!

Modi 186

Mohammed Adllab Bedi 357
Mohammedan Law 101, 106
Mohenjodaro 20, 21, 361
Mohalta Rasayan Shala, Bikaner
167

Mohils 23, 24, 26; -country 26
Mbhilvati 24

Mohta Trust, Bikaner 388
Mojgarh 50
Mokam 421; -Fair 116
Money lenders 226
Monsoon 14, 15
Moons; 241

447

Moong'khdal 114

Morley Minto Reforms 62

Mortality II

Mosques 411

Mofh 239, 240, 241

Moll Singh 419 ■

Motor Services Association 217

Mount Abu 32, 367

Movement 352

Muddati 187

Mudh (also Marh) 127, 135, 247;
-valley 127

Mughal 29; -Array 361; -Art 414;
-Court 40;-Emperor 31, ’-Empire
54; -Force 32, -Painters 354,

- School 354; Throne 33
Muhammad

-Ghori 90;-Shah 42; -Ustad 354
Muhnot Nensi 24, 90
Mukam 94, 135
Mukhtars Maqbtdla 308
Mukund Rai 40
Multan 37, 417
Multan-Delhi route 50
MuUani Mitti 5
Municipal

-Act 324; -Aministration 321;
-Amendment Act (1928) 324;
-i\rea 322; -Bodies 341; -Com-
mittcc(s) 321,324; , Council 299,
3 >5; -Funds 323

Municipal Bonrd(s) 321, 322, 323,
325, 327; -Bhinasar 327; -Desh-
nokc 328; -Gangashahr 326;
-Naukha 327, -MunicipaHty(ics)
325. 326, 341
Mmja 10
Murder 76

Mtirlt Dhar ManauJ 356
MuTlidhar Vyas 355 ■

Musrthib Ptirohst Man Mahesh 35
M««.a{man$ 29, 38 ■

Museum 360

Mushmmat Jabbar Charitable Trust,
Bikaner 388
Music Department 349
Muslim(s) 89. 96, 98, 100, 104, 105,
107, 112, 353; -array 30, 38;
-league 68
Muisaddis 25

Nachna, tahsil of Jaisalmer district
274

Nag Raj 30

Nagaurl,28, 31,37,47, 52, 196,

311, 318; -Chief47; -district 1,

312, 319, -pargana 36; -tahsil
389

Naginiji Fair 118
Nagpur 97
Naib-tahsildars 263
Naira or Nera 1

Nal 42, 215; -Railway station 319
Nankar 267
Nanwa X19

Napasar 84, 139, 140, 142, 156, 166,
168, 169, 216, 322, 323, 330, 350,
371, 421; -police station 296;
-town 85

Napo 25, 26,413, 414, 420
Nar Singh Chaturdashi Fair 118
Narendra Sawai 54
Nari Jagriti Parishad at Bikaner 171
Nar i Shah 171
Narnaul Singh 92
I Naro (Nariiji) 27, 81, 413, 414
i Nasir Khan 33
: Nasirabad 58, 294
, Nasthodhhta-Prahodhak- Dhropat
I TikaSSS
; Natbdvvara 48, 354
] Nathu 25
I Nathu Ram 354
j N’nthusar 411

National

-Defence 405; -Extension Service
block 250, 352: -Integration 319;
-Malaria Control Programme
371; -Observatories 6; -Savings
3l8, 3l9; -Savings Certificates
196. 318;>Slogans 67
Native Coinage Act (1876) 79
Native State 79

Naukha 16, 130, 134, 139, 141, 14 >,
166, 168,199, 201,206, 250. 252,
277, 315. 322, 323, 328, 344,
350, 371. 390. 391, 396, 402, 407,
408, 410, 422; -Constituency

392; -Mandi 84, 289, 352;
-Mandi town 85; -Municipal
Board 201; -Municipality 327;
-Panchayat Samiti 142, 332,
338;-Police station 296;-Railway
station 6; -Tahsil 2, 4, 6. 10, 83,
86, 149, 262, 269, 272, 273, 274,
337, 352

Nawab Hindal 27
Nawab of Narnaul 28
Nawab Zabdin Khan 35
Nayak(s) 93, 385
Nazar 46, 53
Nazim{s) 1, 261, 271, 276
Nazrana 56, 270, 279
Nchiu Award 280
Nehrii Sarada Peeth, Bikaner 346
Nehru Sharda Peeth Evening
College 403

Nensi 24, 90
Neota 63
Nepal 420

Nigam, B. L. 169 (fn.)

Nil Kanth 356
Nishan 33

Nizamat{s) 271, 276; Bikaner 1
Nobles Girls School 350
Nobar 42, 305

Non-Pfl/n 273
Northern

-Railway Hospital, Lalgarh 374;
-States of India 137
Nullahs 3

Nur Muhammad 354
Nuri 354
Nut 385

Nyaya Panebayats 306, 332, 333,
338

Oasis 23 »

Occupational division 88
Ocean 19
Octroi 322
Official language 63
Ojha Kashi Nath 53
Ooderamsir 207
Opium 107, 384
Orans 9
Orchha 36
Osvval 186

Oujha Kashee Nautt 69, 7i
P

Pabuji 98
Pachotra 269, 279
Padam Singh 38, 39
Padampur 7
Paina 11

Pakistan 1, 5, 20, 87, 299, 318, 404
Pakistani aggression 405
Pala 273

Palana 5, 13, 59, l-.0, ]48, 157, 161,
330; -hospital 374
Pallu 361
Palsana 51

Pancha Mukhi Siksha Sadan 359
Panchayat{s) 57. 252, 261, 263, 287,
316, 329, 330, 332, 335, 338;
-circle 330; -system 330
Panchayat Saraiti(s) 148, .195, 200,
250, 252, 263, 317, 330, 332, 333,

334, 335, 338, 343, 344, 351.
352, 371, 378, 405; -B/knner 197,
140,332,338; -Kolayat 141, 200,
332, 334, 339; -Lunkaransar
197, 332,334, 339; -Naukha 142,
201, 332, 334, 338; Physical
Achievements of 260
Panchun (also Panchn) 139, 289,
330, 377 '

Pandit Jawahar Lai Nehru 64, 68 '

Pandit Manphool 57
Panikkar, K.M. ( also Pannikar )
358

Panwars 37
Papar of Bikaner 170
Parende Fort 37
Pargana 30
Parihar Chiefs 90
Paris 165
Parliament 406

Parliamentary Constituency 390

Parmars 23

Parvati 117

Parwez 32

Patiala 53

Patrassa Ghaut 71

Patta 267

Pattcdar 271

Patun 207

PaUfar

-Circles 262, 264, 393, 394;
-Halkas 264, 277
P(itwaTt[s) 264, 276
Pa%varwala 148
Pawning 188

Pay roils savings group in Railway
.Workshop 19?

Payment of Wages Act 3! 5
Peace Conference 60
Petpai 9S ,

Pe rs:r j 224

People 65, 137; -of Bikaner 214

Periodicals 398

Peshkash 45

Phalodi 35, 47, 51, 52

Pharon ka Bazar 399

Pheriwalas 188

Phool Mahal 415

Phulra 50

Pilgrimage 54

Pindari 51, 53

Pipasar 94

Plague 372

Plan, Five year 131,263; -First 173,
209, 250, 344, 377, 378; -Second
125, m, 173, 209, 243, 250,

252, 377, 378; -Third 173, 210,
252,351, 377

Plastic Articles 182
Poets 356
Poisoning 76

Police 293, 294; -Act (1922) 293;
-Administration 295; -Armed
Police 296; -Circle 296; -Civil
Police 206; -Code 293,294; -De-
partment 62; -Inspector General
of 294, 295; -Line Hospital,
Bikaner 373; -Outposts 296, 309;
-Stations 294, 296, 309; -Traffic
297

Political

-Agent 58, 59, 61, 80, 367; -Agi-
tation 66; -Awakening 64, 65;
-Developments 68; -Institutions
65; -Life 64; -Life of Bikaner 68;
-Officer 75; -Workers 65, 66, 67
Polytechnic 174
Poongal 207
Pope, J. A. 285
I Popular Government 68
I Population 2, 60, 83, g6, 332; Den-
{ ‘sUyof83;-of district 1; urban
■ 86; -urban and rural 85

450

t^ost O (Tices

-in Bikaner district 218-219;
-under Bikaner Head Office 218;
-Under Ganganagar Head Office
219: -Under Niigaur Head Office
218

t91

Pot-Sherds 20
Pottery 20

Power House 157, 162
Powlett. P.W. 29, 32,35. 56, 57. 156,
239, 244, 324

Prabodli of Janardhan 356
Pradeep Industries 167
Praja

-Mandal 64, 67; -Parisliad 67,
68, 394, 395; -Scvak Sangh 68;
-Socialist Party 392, 393, 394,
396; -Socialists 397
Prakash Chitra 413
Pratap Singh 49, 82
Pratihara(s) 21, 22. 23; -Dynasty 22,
23; -King Siluka 22
President 63, 67
Primary

-Education 334, 341 , 351 ; -13631(11'
Centr s 372, 374, 375; -School(s)
326, 343, 350, 351
Prime Minister 30, 64, 358
Prince(s) 74; -Bijay Singh Memorial
Men’s Hospital 372;'-Daniyal 32;
-Khurram 36; -of Wales 60;
-Salim 33
Princely

-Government of Bikaner 192;
-India 66; -States 61, 65,68
Principal Medical Officer 367
Principality 69, 70
Prison

-Act (1927) 301;-Wctfarc Officer
302

Ptilhivi Raj Asan 358

Prithvi Raj Chauhan 420
Prithvi Raj Rathor 356
Prithvi Singh 53
Private Schools 342
Professional Education 345
Protected game 1 1
■Providcni Pund 32s3
Public

-Park 9, 215; -Call Offices 220;
Co-operaiion 405; -Relations
405; -Relations Office 31 St-Safe-
ly Act 66, 67;-Works Departmeni
59, 311;-Ptigal 24. 25. 37, 111.
139, 171, 216, 288, 318, 417,422;
-Police Station 296

Punjab 5, 7, 22. 33, ‘56, 62, 91, 147,
161, 239, 241, 268; -^National
Bank Ltd. 172, 194
Furda 105
Puri 117
Purohit 35

Quarrying 163
Queen Victoria 56

Radha and Krishna 354

Radio Station 217

Raedeesir 207

Raghunath Goswami 356

Rai Bahadur Sodhi Hukam Singh 80

Rai Mai Rana 28

Rai Singh 31, 32, 33, 34, 51. 81,
353, 355,356, 361, 414, 415
Fai, title 34

Railways 59, 147, 213; -and Postal
Department 287; -and Transport
Passengers Association 217;
-Hospital, Bikaner 374; -in' the
Bikaner State 213; -lihes 62;
Northern 159, 160, 297, 320;
-Station 65, 157, 160, 162, 214:
-System 320;-workshop 182, 193

451

Raimalwali 38

Rainfall 3, 12. 16, 17, 131, 412;

-Station of 16
Rains 147
Rainy Season 14
Rrdsinlignagar 1, 7, 64, 67
Raisinghpur 43
jRaJ 161

Raj Singh 48. 49, 82, 418
Raja of Jodhpur 37
Rajas 25

Rajasthan 1, 2 , 6 , 22, 66 , 83, 84, .
86 . 103, 111, 114, 138, 142, 161. .
164, 167, 168, 172, 195, 200. !
204, 211 , 222, 252, 253 263, j

272, 279, 280, 285, 313, ;

319,350,351,356,357 -Animals i
and Birds Protection act (1951) |
11; -Armed Constabulary (RAC) '
299; -Bank Ltd. 172, 194;-Bhoo- |
dan Yagna Board 282; -Canal !
Project 129; -Cash Jagirs Aboli* I
lion Act (1958) 280; -Code of
Criminal Procedure Ordinance

tion of Tenants Ordinance
(1949) 280; -Sahitya Academy
359, 360; -State Archives 313;
-State Electricity Board 325,
327;-State Warehousing Corpora-
tion 199; -Tenancy Act(1955)280 1
281; -Tcnancey (sixth Amend-
ment) Act (1959) 282; -Town
Municipality Act 322, 324,

326, 327; -University 403;
-Weights and Measures Act
(1954) 205; -Weights & Measures

(Enforcement) Act 205; -Wes-
tern 4

Rajasthani 89, 351, 356
Rajgarh 1,145,295, 329, 351, 389;

-tf/hsil 28

Rojpootana (Sec Rajputana)

Rajpur 50
Rajpura 41

Rajput(s) 24, 30. 38, 47, 49, 91, 92,
105, 107, no, 111, 186, 300:
Chicf(s) 38, 350; -Clans 23:
-force 47; -rulers 39

(1949) 306; -Financial Corpora- i Rajputana 56, 75, 91, 97, 244, 367;

lion 172, 194; -Forest Act 12; f -Board 347; -Gazetteers 244;

-formation of 367; - Government ; -States 293

358; -Handicraft 171; 'Und j 257 , 283

Reforms and Resumption of ; 270, 283

Jagirs { Amendment ) Act j 75

(1954; 280; -Land Revenue Act i

281; -Land Revenue Act (1956) i

277; Local-Sclf-Governmcnt I

Institute 4 Q 0 ; -Medical Depart- | i^< 7 Sb!rabhasba Prachar Samhi 359
ment Hospitals 403; -Motor .

Vehicles Act 2S4; -Mnnicipaliiy 1 Devi Dhamani 360

Act (1959) 326, 327; -M.C.C. ' Ratan Singh 28. 54. 55, 82,96, H3,

Battalion 353; -PanchayatfAAct * 197,270,294,365.

(!9S3j330; -PancKasat Samslis j Ratangarh 65, 213
and Ztla Parisbad Act (1959) j Rathi Cows 10
331; -‘Passengers and Goods ■ Rath! dnicct 89

Taxation Act (lOS^) 211: -Protcc-

Rathors 24, 26. 5J. 90. 275

452

Ram Bhatta and Shanti Sudhakar
356

Ram Chandra Binani 399
Ram Lai Dwarkani 57
Ram Raja 41

Ram Rajya Parishad 391, 397
Ram Singh 31, 46, 47, 412
Ramdeoji 94, 98, 113
Ramji 42
Rana 24, 43
Rana of Udaipur 47
Rana Pratap 356
Rana Rai Mai 28

lianas of Moliilvali 24
Ranawat Committee 306
Rang Kahan 28

Range Training School, Bikaner 297

Rangmahal 20

RaniCs) 24, 49

Rani Bazar 247

Ranisar 148

Rann of Kutch 6

Rao (also see respective names)
-Bikal, 24, 25, 26, 27, 81,
115, 119, 261,411, 413, 414,
417, 420, 422; -Gujarmal 45;
-let Singh 28; -Jetsi 81;
-Jodha 24, 261; -Kalyan 418;
-Kiilyan Mall 353, -Kalyan
Singh 29, 30, 31,81; -Kandhal
24; -Lunkaran 27, 81,416, 421;
-Naro 81; -of Pnga) 37;
-Shekha 25; -Suja 27

Rawal Akhai Raj 47
Rawal Bhim 36
Rawal Jet Singh 28
Rawal Kchar 25
Rawal of Jaisalmer 46
Rawat Bahadur Singh 50
Rector 35S

Regency Council 48
Region 19,.21, 62

Regional Sheep Research Station
139

Registrar

-of Co operative Societies 190;
-Departmental Examinations 348
Registration Act (1893) 304
Rekh 58, 270
Rekhwali 270
Reni 47, 276

Representative Assembly 64
Reptiles 1 1
Research centres 9
Reserve Bank of India 189, 245
Responsible Government'64, 68
I Rest House(s) 215
Restorer of lost land a title 30
Revenue 332; -Administration 62;
-Authorities 134 -Circles 393,
394; -Commissioner(s) 261,
276; -Courts 57, 263; -Inspector
276; -Member 276; -Minister 330;
-Officer 276; -Secretary 276
Rewari 27, 45, 214
Rice 240; -Mills 180
Richard Harte Kcatinge 75
Ridmalsar fair 119
Rigveda 19
Rirmal 27
Rirmalsar 140
Rituals 105

Rivers 3, 19, 99; -Drishadvali 19;
-Ganges (alsoGanga,35,95;-Ghag
gar 19; -Hakra 20; -Parvati 117;
-Sarasvati 19, 20; -Shatadru 19;
-Sutlej 19, 40, 62; -Yamuna 1
Riyasat 66

, Roads 63,70,209,210,21 1,212
Robbers 55
Robbery 54,76
Rofura 10

t 453 )

RoTling into Basic Form 182
Rough Castings 182
Round Table Conference 66
Routes 23, 207, 208
Royal Messengers 42
Royalty 27
Rudkin, G. D. 269
Ruler(s) 22.57,59, 62, 63, 66, 74. 340;
-of B!kaner43,45,47; -of Jodhpur
44, 50; -of Merta 30; -of Nagaur
42; -Rathors 68
Ruling

-Family 63; -Princes of India 60
Runia 330
Rupa 25

Rural Credit Follow-up Survey 245
Rural Credit Survey (1956-57j 189
Rustam Khan 35
Ryots 261

Sabkor 267

Sadar 1,276,329; -division 270
Sadul Club 413

Sadul High School, Bikaner 353
Sadul Singh (see also Maharaja) 63,
67,82.358.418,419
Sadulpur 213

Sadvidya Pracharini Sabha 65

Sahni 25

Saiyads 38

Sajji plants I7I

Sales Tax Act (1954) 285

Salig Ram Pathik of Allahabad 351

Salt 240

Salumbar 47

Samba Sadasbim Stiiti 355
SSmbai 10.12
Sambhar 22.27,45
Saracl 30
Samrist 274

Samyukta Socialist Party 394,397
SastadlSl ‘

Sanatan Kalpa Lata 355

Sanctuary 57

Sand

-dunes 41 1; -grouse 12; -stone 6
Sanga 28,29
Sanganer 29,35
Sangit Vartaman 355
Sangii Vinod 356
Sangitacbarya 355
Sangitamrag 355
Sangrah Ratanmcla 355
Sangram Singh 42, 43, 44 (also sec
Maharana); -Mandlawat 49
Sanitation 328

Sankar Dev Nahala Kala Bhavan
362

Sankh’a(s) 23,24,25,26 420; -Rajput
25

Sankhya System 420
Sansi 385

Sanskrit 41,341,354,357

Saran Bhartfaa 36

Sarang Khan 26

Saraogi 186

Sarasvati 19, 20

Saraswati Bhatacharya 356

Saraswati Devi Mohala 360, 403

Sarbhangi 385

Sardar(s) 29,30,35,270

Sardar Niwas 59

Sardar Patel’s Policy 68

Sardar Singh 54, 55, 56, 57, 82, 96,
197, 198, 294, 303, 355 (also see
Maharaja)

SardSrgarh 54
Sardarshahr 213

Sardu! Brahmacharyashram Trust
Bikaner 348
Sargara385
Sarkar 36
Sarup Singh 81

( 454 )

Sasan (Dharmada) 270
Satsai 354
Sa'tasar 139,288

Satya Raj & Co , Bikaner 166.167

Saiyagrah 65

Saurashtra 1 >7

Sauron 35; -ghat 35

Savings Bank 196

Saw Mills 180

Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur 44

Sawars 39
Scheduled

. -Castes 106, 385, 386, 387, 389;
-Tribes 385,386

School 62; B. S T. C. 351; Bhairon
Ratan Matri Pathashala 350;
Blind 348; Girls school 342,350;
High School 345,351,352; High-
er Secondaiy School 351; Hindi
and Urdu 340; Jai Pathashala
350; Junior Basic 351; Kanya
Pathashala 350;.La]dy Elgin Girls
School 350; List of Secondary
& Higher Secondary 363-364;
Mahila Mandal and'Mdhila Jag-
riti Parishad 350; MiddlcSchoolfe
224,344,351,352; Nobels Girls
School 350; Primary Schools 22r_
326, 343, 350; 351; Range’

Training School 297; Sadul High
School, Bikaner 353; Secondary
351; Secondary and, Higher
Secondly School", .List of -363,
364; Soohgiri Girls School 350;
Soor Sagar Girls School- 350;
State School 340,342; Technical
348; Walter Nobles School 341;
Second

-Five Year Plan 125,172,269,243,
250,252,377,378. -Gchbfal ' Elec-
tion 389, 406. 408; -WdHd
60, 203

Secretariat 261; -System 61
Secretary to the Governor General
71

Sects of Hindus 89
Sedition 66
Seetla gate 411
Sehwan 10

Sekhar Chandra Saxena 399
Sela 51

Senani Karyalaya 399
Separation of the Judiciary 62
Sesamum 243
Sessions Courts 307
Seth(s)

-Bahadur Mai Jaskaran Sidhak-
aran Rampuria Trust, Bikaner
388; Hiralal Sobhag Mai Chari-
lable-Trust, Bikaner 388; Leading
145; -Rain Gopal Goverdhan
Das Mohta Charitable Trust,
Bikaner 388; -Shanker Dan
Na'hta 357

Seton.Karr, W. S, 77
Seltiement(s),25, 267, .268, 27i, 275;
-Commissioner 273; -Officer 273
275; -of (1894-951 268; -Sum-
mary 267

Sex Ratio 84
Shah Alam 197,361
Shah Jahan 32,36,381361
Shah of Persia 361'

Shaikhkai* 330
Shaiva 89
Shakambhari 22
Shakta 89 '

Shanti Bhatt 356
Shatadru 19

Sheep Breeding Farm 140
Shekha 25. 29, 37, 417, 422; -Bliati
25; -liao 25

I Shekhar Chandra Saxena 401

( 455 )

SVieksar 148

Shekhawati 51,55, 293; -brieade 54
Shco-Bari (also Shiv Bari), 6,95163,
348,422; -fair 118

Shershah 29,30
Shi^. Bari Fair 1 18
Shiv Printing Press 398
Shiv Ram 356
Shiv Shanker Purohjt 40p

ShradHa Levy 279
Shri Abhaya Jain

-GranthaJaya 357; -Granthmala
358

Shri Bhairav Ratan Matra'Pathash-
ala Trust, Bikaner 388
Shri Bikaner MahilalMandal-403i404
Shri Ganga Gaushalal Naukhii 142
ShriGanga Jubilee Gaushafa, Bikaner
142

Shri Gaushala, Deshnoke 142
Shri Gdtisliah, Napasar 142
Shri Gun Prakash Sujjanalaya, 357
Shri Murli Manohar Gaushala Bhi-
nusar 142

Shrinjati Gulab Kuinari Shekhawat
403

Shri Ram Krishan Kutir 35S
Shrubs 9,19
Shudh Manjari 356-
Shuka-Sstrika 356
Sickness 383
Sikar 295.312,314

Sikhs 55,89.97,186; ^•Campaigns 55
Sikhvvar 55
Silva 165
Silver Jubilee 63
Sind 32,239
Sindh 59

Sindhfi Fertiliser Factory I?j
Singhiwal 3S5

Siogarh 50

Sir John Laird Mair Lawrence 75
Sirdar(s} 46,52,61
Sfrkar 266
Strbhi 32
Sirsa 28,29i30,56
Siryari 32
Sisodia lirinces 41
SixVana 32
Skandh Deo 117

Small

-Cause Courts Xct 304; Chief-
tainships 25; -Pox 41, 372;

-Savings Scheme 318

SnJVggling 318
Snakes 11

, f '«<

Social

* >
-Education 351; -Welfare 253;
-Welfare Board 360; -Welfare
Department 348, 386

Socialist 389, 391. 397
Socio-Economic Surveys of Mukam
and Mudh (Marh) village 247

Sohan burj 59
Soil Conservation 25 1, 252
Sojat 32, 46
Solankis 23
Solidarity 319
Somaliland 60
Soongiri Girls School 350
Soorai Singh Bahadoor 69
Soorsagar Girls School 350
Sovereignty 26
^ownrs 295

Special Education 345, 351
Spotted deer 10
Stamps Act 284

Stamps and Court Fees Act 304,306,
i State 35. 48. 49, 53.' 54, 56; 58. ’59,'
* 61.62,63,64,65.66,67,68. 69,

( 456 )

99, 143, 146, 221, 268. 269, 275,
294, 321, 349, 388, 412; -Admi-
nistration 66, 67; -Authorities
67; -Assembly Elections 390;
-Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur 172,
194; -Bureau of Educational
and Vocational Guidance 401;
-Council 276; -departments 63;
-Government 148, 174, 249,

261, 317, 404; -grant 323; ]

-Hotel 413; -Industries depart-
ment 169; -Insurance 195; -of
Bikaner 189, 262, 270, 290, 341,
344,345,351,373, 411; -language
63; -Land Revenue and Tenancy
Acts (1945) 272, -Legislature
388; -Legislature Aseembly 334;
-of Rajasthan (see also Rajas-
than) 68, 305, 349; -Peoples’
Conference 66; -Plan 333;
-Savings Bank 193; -Savings
Bank, Bikaner 192; -Schools 340,

342; -shops 241; -territory 172,
297

Sub Div’s onal Officers 263, 307
Suba (also Subah) 34; -of Ajmer
266

Sub-caste 104

Subedar 26, 27, 30, 35

Sub-Regihrar, Bikaner City 284

Sudarshan 37

Sudras 99

Sugar 242

Suja 27

Sujan Singh 41, 42, 43, 82

Sujandesar fair 118

Snjangarh 1, 55. 56, 213, 276, 295 ,

301,329. 362
Suleman range 6
Sulkhaniya 95, 412
Sultan Bahlol Lodi 24
Sultan of Delhi 27

Summary Settlement 267, 268"
Summer 14
Sunehri Burj 59
Sunnud 72

Superintendent(s) 293, 295

-of Police 263, 264; -of Revenue
275

Sur Sagar 412
Sur Singh 35, 37, 81
Surat Singh 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54,
58. 69, 82, 197, 270, 415, 418
Soratgarh 1, 50, 147, 213, 295, 329,
361

Surgeons 62
Surpura 216, 330
Surtan Deora 32
Surya Prakash Bissa 401
Sutlej 19, 40, 62
Swadeshi 65
Swami Japanaoda 358
Swami Ram Krishna Paramhansa
358

Swami Vivekananda 358
Swarup Singh 41, 81
Swatantra 393, 394, 397
Syed Hasan Ali 40

Tabkat-i-Akbari 30
Taccavi 185, 187, 189
Tahsil(s) (also see Bikaner, Kolayat,
Lnnkaransar and Naukha) 2,
149, 262, 268, 272, 274, 275
Tahsildar(s) 261, 263, 304, 305
Takht Nashini ki Bhach 63
Talao 25
Talwara 146
Tank(s) 3, 19
Tapoo 207
Tara Singh 47
1 Taranagar 389

( 457 )

TaukoorS 70

taxes 323; -Colleclion 3^8
Tazimi 210i -Sardars 271
teachers Training Certificate 345 ’

Technical schools 348
Teja Bagor 33 |

Telegraph 320; -Offices 220; -Offices
and Public Call Offices in fiika-
mt District 220

Tclepitone Exchanges 320
Temperatufe 12, l3, 14, 17, 4l2
Temple(s) 9, 59, 416; -Chintamanis
411; -Dhuninath 4l^;- -Jain 4ll;
-Laxminarayan 44, 416; -Pancha
Mukha Hanuraan 163; -Ra'sik

Shiromaniji 416; -Rafan Rihariji
416

Tenancy Acts (1945) 272
Terracota Scupltures 20
Territory 24, 27, 46, 50, 55, 65, 69
Tcssitory, Dr. L. P.20, 358, 361
Textile

-Commissioner 204; -Merchant’s,
Committee 204

Thakur(s) 27, 31, 42, 46. 48 50, 52|
54 55, 5b 57, 58, 60, 293, 294.
300; -of-Ajitpura 61; -of Bhadra
43; -of Churu48; -of Khandla
27; -of Mahajan 40, 44
Thakur Singh 30
Thakur Udaikaran 28
Thakursi 30, 35
Thali dialect 89
Thaws 43
Thawdars 261
Thar 2.19, 22,23
That herds 168
Tlmtta 34. 35

T?se District Excise Officer, Bikaner
286

The RfijasthSn Discontinuance of
Ccssci Act (1959) 2Si

The Rajasthan Gramdan Act 282

The Rajasthan Land Reforms and
Resumption of Jagirs Act (1952)
2'80

The State Government 176
Third Five Tear Plan 173, 210', 252,
351, 377

Third General Election(s) 390, 392,
3'96, 408
Thoris 93, 385
Thornton, A.P , Captain 78
Throne 33; -of Delhi 42
Thuggee 76
Thunderstorms 15
Tihun Pal 28
Tikara Cband Khatri 400
Tifgar 385
Tirthankarans 97
Tobacco 257
Tod, Col. J. 49, 157
Top'ograpbical Survey 58
Topography 2

Town{s) 2, 85, 86, 177, 417, 422’

Trade routes 23

Trade Unions 183, 184, 217

Traders' and Merchants’ Associations
203

Training Institute 174

Transport 88; -Companies 212

Treasury 51 ; -Officer 262

Treaty 69, 71, 78; -of Versailles CO

Trees 19

Tribunal 61

Tribute 42

Iroops 53. 54, 70

Tulsi9S

I Tyre Rationing Order

I . “

I Udai Chandra 355
I Udai Karan 28 .

1 Udaipur 36. 42, 43. ,302. 313. 353,

I 360,* -district 48; -Princess 419

( 4

Udaisar 216
Udasar 350, 352,

Udat outpjst 296,

Udrantisar 8, 12, 119, 350
Ujjain 21
Uraayyads 23

Unani system of medicine 3,65
Underground water 4.

United Commercial Bank Ltd^. 172,
194

United State of Greater Rajasthan
64, 68. 2 2
University 322; -of Cambridge 60;
-of Oxford 6,0; -of Rajasthan
346; -of Udaipur 141, 347
Untouchability 388, 405
Urban areas 99, 349
Urban Water Supply Schemes 252
Usha Charita 353
Ustad Abu Qasira 354
Ustad Mohammad 354
Ustad Shah Muhammad 354
Uttar Pradesh 22, 147, 161
V

V.S, Pathik 356
Vaccinations 371
Vaishnava 89, 355
Vaishya 99
Vaital-Pachisi 356
Vakil(s) 53, 65, 308
Vallabh garden(s) 12
Valmtki 385
Variations 12
Varsalpur 38
Vazier 30
Vedic

-Age 19; -Culture 20; -hymns 19
Vegetative divisions 10
Vegetation 7

Versailles Peace Conference 63
Veterinary 349; -and Animal Hus-
bandry Science 347

8 )

Viceroy(s) 61, 63; -and Governor-
General 78; -Lord Hardinge 414
Vidya Nath 356
Vidya Nath Stiri 356
Vigraharaja Ghauhan 11-22
Vijay Bhawan 347
Village(s) 2, 56, 57, 61, 110: -Pan-
chayats 332, 334
Vinoba Bhave 282
Viper 11

Virendra Nath Gupta 399
Visalpuf 139

Vishva Bharati Nagari Bhandar 402
VishwaJyoti 413
Vishwanath 401

Walter Noblp’s School 341
War 50; -of.Independence (1857)
361; -Second World War 203
Water Supply 253, 328, 378
Wazir 48
Weather 18

Weaving and Spinning -Units 165
Weights and. Measures Act (1954)
205;

Welfare of backward classes 253
Western Medical Science 377
Wheat 239 , 240, 241, 242, 243
White clay 5
Widows 106
Wilayat Hussain 57
Wild boars 10
William, Lord 56
Winds 14
Wolf 10

Women education 351
Woollen

-and knitting mills 180; -Baling,
Pressing and Cleaning ]'7,8;
-Cottage Industries 174, 175;

^59

-Cottage Industries Training
Institute Bikaner 175; -Industries
181; -Production Centre 165
V,’orld War ‘60

X-Ray apparatus 372
Y

Yajnas 19
Yamuna 19
Yaudheyas 22
Yellow Ochre 6

Zabita Khan 50, 51

Zakat 270

Zamindais 186

Zenana Hospital 63, 373

Ziauddin Khan 35

Zila Parisbad(s) 252, 331, 332,

334, 335
Zoo 362, 416

Zorawar Singh 43, 44, 45, 82, 354;
Lord 418

RAJASTHAN DISTRICT GAZETTEERS— BIKANER

ERRATA

Page

Para

Line

For

Read

1-2

154 to 429

122 to 366

1.5

1-2

ranging from

12.70 cm. to 25.40cm.
(5" to 10")

of 259.6 mm.
(10.22")

0.4 km. (quarter

0.8 km. (half

183 or 274 met-
res (two or three
hundred yards)
across.

0.4 km. (quarter
mile broad)

4-5

Gangasarowar-

Mandalmadh,

Dadav

Gangasarowar,
Mandal, Mudh,
Dadar

•M

Kotri Indaka

Bala

Koiri, Indaka-
Bal”

114

115
117
llS
120
122
133
142
144
159
163
174
180

192

194.

19/

213

3
2
2

TC6

last

G. S. Oiha
5.8
rural
1,34,4:

Kichr4
Im^V.

Es’&fi- r

i,3443R

Dj^egT
'^^ologicaily

Heading

1896- I 97 A

1896-18971

Kanvnt, ^

Kaoni

Ghari-sar

Ghatsisar

first five

some

—

S. No. 45 Mfs Ratan In-

deleted

TC 5

last

dust rial Cor-
poration Dal
Mills, Sadulpur

54,194

TC 6

38,242

5,909

TC6

2,198

TC 1

& Jaipur

& Jaipur (form-

erly Bank of Bika-
ner Ltd. & Bank
of Jaipur)

coins.

coins, thouch Ojha

Bardrasar

difiers.

Badrasar

Matwari

MarwarJ border

226

femal

female

228

19,288

29,288

234

TC3

TC 23

2,261

2,661

237

TC 23

884

894

247

present

present (1967)

248

T2 C3

2,480

2,486

274

forty-two vill-
ages of Nachna

43 villages & 3
hamlets of Bap

281

TC6

last

1,025

1,015

303

1864-85

■ 1884-85

306

powers

powers of

314

six

two

314

and one Excise
Inspector.

deleted

314

two

one

316

last

196

272

323

—

12.

1959

the same year
again

330

Jarasar

Jasrasar

332

pond

pound

341

thereafter

thereafter except
in 1925-26

344

435

473 •

345

TC4

1794

1694

350

in 1907

360

Girls

Grill,

374

5 ■

hospitals

hospitals/dispen-

saries

376

T1 G2 & 3

15700; 122536

34551; 642,239

376

T2 C3

132

131

387

nauka

Naukha

393

candidates

candidate

399

■ 2

■ 6

solds

sold

403

the

418

3 •

a rest house

deleted

418

Higher Secondary

Secondary

418

2 '

421

higher secondary

secondary

422

a higher ’

422

secondary

, higher secondary

427

—

hoid

hold

428

Page No. 248

428

Plate 4

- •

Kod Gate

Kote Gate

T=TabIc; C- Column

The Fort of Bikaner

Gajner Palace

Lalgarh Palace

Ratan Bihariji Temple — Bikaner

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